Bengaluru: A woman security guard deployed at M Chinnaswamy Stadium was allegedly cheated of ₹52,500 in a fake IPL ticket scam, highlighting the growing menace of online fraud during high-demand events.
The victim, identified as Sunita Tandava Murthy, filed a complaint with the Central Division Cybercrime police after receiving fake QR codes instead of valid match passes.
Fraud began with enquiry at stadium
According to the complaint, the incident dates back to March 28, when Murthy was on duty during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match. She approached a bouncer at the venue to enquire about ticket availability.
The bouncer allegedly shared a mobile number, claiming it to be a reliable source for purchasing match tickets. Trusting the reference, Murthy contacted the number.
Fake QR codes used to gain trust
Murthy initially transferred ₹3,000 for two tickets and received QR codes that appeared genuine. Convinced by the seemingly legitimate passes, she proceeded to make additional purchases.
Police said the accused used this tactic to build trust and encourage further payments. Over time, Murthy transferred her savings in multiple instalments, believing she would receive valid match passes.
Multiple transactions total ₹52,500
Investigations reveal that Murthy made five separate online transactions between March 30 and April 4, amounting to ₹52,500. However, the promised tickets were never delivered.
When the accused stopped responding to calls and messages, Murthy realised she had been defrauded and approached the police.
Cybercrime police launch investigation
Bengaluru police have registered a case and launched an investigation to trace the accused. Officials are examining the bank accounts used in the transactions and suspect the involvement of an organised online fraud network.
Authorities believe such scams tend to spike during major events like the IPL, when demand for tickets is high and buyers are more vulnerable.
Police issue public advisory
Police have urged citizens to exercise caution while purchasing tickets online. They advised the public to avoid making advance payments to unknown individuals and to verify the authenticity of sellers before completing transactions.
Officials emphasised that tickets should ideally be purchased through authorised platforms to prevent falling victim to fraud.
Conclusion
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with online transactions, especially during high-demand events. With cyber fraud cases on the rise, authorities continue to stress vigilance and awareness to protect citizens from financial scams.