A cyber fraud case linked to the sale of IPL match tickets has been reported in Bengaluru, where a software engineer was duped of ₹1.45 lakh by scammers posing as ticket sellers for a high-profile match. The case has been registered at the Mahadevapura Police Station, and an investigation is currently underway.
According to police officials, the victim, identified as Ganesh, a resident of Kaverappa Layout near B. Narayanapura, was approached by cybercriminals through Instagram on March 30. The fraudsters claimed to have tickets for the IPL clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), scheduled at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The scammers had reportedly posted advertisements on Instagram offering match tickets along with food coupons and VIP access, making the offer appear legitimate and attractive. Trusting the claims, Ganesh contacted them and agreed to purchase the tickets. He subsequently transferred ₹1.45 lakh in multiple installments to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
After receiving the payment, the accused instructed Ganesh to collect the tickets near Gate No. 10 of the stadium on the day of the match. However, when Ganesh arrived at the location and attempted to contact them, the fraudsters were unreachable, and no tickets were delivered. Realizing he had been cheated, he approached the police and filed a complaint.
Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution while purchasing tickets online, especially from unofficial sources on social media platforms. They emphasized verifying the authenticity of sellers and avoiding direct bank transfers to unknown individuals.
Meanwhile, the RCB vs CSK match at Chinnaswamy Stadium witnessed a special tribute to Indian cricket legends. The Karnataka State Cricket Association honoured Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid by naming the stadium ends after them. The pavilion end was named after Anil Kumble, while the northern end was dedicated to Rahul Dravid, recognizing their immense contributions to Indian cricket.
Both former cricketers, along with their families, were present at the ceremony and expressed gratitude for the recognition. The honour was presented by KSCA officials, including president Venkatesh Prasad and secretary Santosh Menon, who felicitated the legends with mementos.
The event also saw the presence of prominent personalities such as Sudha Murty, a Rajya Sabha member, and C. N. Manjunath, Member of Parliament from Bengaluru Rural, who attended the match.
While the thrilling cricket match brought excitement to fans, the ticket scam incident serves as a reminder of the growing threat of cybercrime, especially during major sporting events where demand for tickets is high. Authorities continue to track the accused and have assured strict action against those involved.
