Amid rising excitement around the Indian Premier League, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting ticket buyers. In one such incident in Bengaluru, a woman security guard lost ₹52,500 in a fake IPL ticket scam, highlighting the risks linked to online purchases.
The victim, working with a private security firm, was on duty at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28 during an IPL match. She approached a bouncer at the venue for ticket information, who allegedly shared a mobile number claiming tickets could be arranged. This led to the fraud.
As per the complaint, she first paid ₹3,000 online for 2 tickets. Soon after, the accused sent QR codes in her name that looked like genuine digital passes. These visuals helped build trust.
The accused then convinced her to buy more tickets. Between March 30 and April 4, she made 5 transactions, totalling ₹52,500. Each time, she was assured that valid tickets would be delivered.
When the tickets were not received and the accused stopped responding, the victim realised she had been cheated. She filed a complaint at the Central Division Cyber Crime Police Station. Police have registered a case and started an investigation. Initial findings suggest it may be part of a larger organised cyber fraud network targeting IPL fans.
Investigators are now examining the bank account used, the mobile number, payment trail, and the QR codes involved. Officials suspect links to other cities or states.
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Triveni Singh said, “In such cases, fraudsters first gain the victim’s trust through small transactions and then gradually extract larger amounts. Fake QR codes and digital passes are designed to look highly authentic, making it easy for people to fall into the trap.”
Police have advised people to be careful while buying tickets from unknown sources. They recommend verifying sellers and using only official platforms or authorised vendors.
Authorities also warned against scanning suspicious QR codes or clicking unknown links, as fraudsters often create urgency with limited-time offers.
With IPL demand increasing, such scams are rising. Police are working to identify the accused and uncover the full network. More details are expected in the coming days.
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