Little Rock business owner warns others after alleged vendor event scam

June 18, 2026 - 07:24

A Little Rock entrepreneur is speaking out after she says she lost hundreds of dollars to what appears to be a fraudulent vendor event. The woman, who owns a local food truck, told reporters she paid a $305 application fee for a food truck festival that was heavily promoted in an Arkansas Facebook group.

The event was advertised as a large gathering with live music and multiple vendors, promising significant foot traffic. She applied and sent the fee through a digital payment service. As the event date approached, she noticed the organizer stopped responding to messages. The Facebook event page was deleted, and the group that shared the listing appeared to be taken down as well. Other vendors who had applied reported similar experiences.

The business owner now believes the entire festival was a fabrication designed to collect application fees from hopeful small business owners. She has filed a report with local police and is urging other vendors to verify event organizers before sending money. She recommends checking for a physical business address, calling the venue directly to confirm the booking, and looking for reviews from previous participants. "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," she said. The case remains under investigation.