BOSTON -- Boston police broke up a counterfeit ticket ring that sold phony tickets to dozens of faked-out fans, police said Friday.

Seven men and two women sold 38 counterfeit tickets to Game 1 of the NBA finals, police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said.

The counterfeits were so sophisticated that Driscoll said the average fan could not detect the difference. They were made with high-quality scanners and it was only when they tried to use them to get into the game that they realized they had been scammed.

“The only way to truly protect yourself is not to buy them,” she said. Driscoll recommended buying tickets only from official Web sites or at the TD Banknorth Garden.

The counterfeit tickets had face values from $111.50 to $376.50 but were being sold for $200 to $600, police said

Those arrested were charged with larceny by scheme and counterfeit notes. All were released on $250 bail.

Police plan another crackdown on counterfeit sales before Game 2 Sunday night at the Garden.