Many people were sold bogus tickets to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic opening ceremonies, according to police. (Gary Hershorn/Reuters)

A West Vancouver man has been charged with theft and fraud in connection with the sale of more than $65,000 worth of bogus Olympic tickets.

Sean McConnell Stuart made an initial court appearance Thursday.

The Crown alleges Stuart, 31, sold fake tickets to high-profile events like the opening ceremonies, the men's gold medal hockey game and figure skating.

At least 26 people were duped in the scheme in which they paid 50 per cent of the ticket price up front, said police spokesman Cpl. Jag Johal.

But Stuart never delivered the tickets and VANOC says he never had an account to purchase any from the organization, police said.

"Some of [the tickets] were being sold through Craigslist and Kijiji," Johal said. "The individual that the warrant was issued for apparently sold some bogus tickets to some unsuspecting buyers both in Canada and the United States."

Stuart had been taken into custody in Washington March 1 for immigration violations and deported to Canada on Tuesday, when he was arrested by Canadian authorities.

Stuart was released on bail and is due back in court in April.

With files from the CBC's Angie Brar and The Canadian Press