Bengaluru: A 25-year-old techie from Bengaluru fell victim to an online fraud and lost Rs 1.46 lakh while attempting to purchase tickets for an Indian Premier League match. The incident has once again highlighted the growing menace of social media-based scams targeting cricket fans during the IPL season.
The victim, a resident of B Narayanapura, lodged a complaint with Mahadevapura police after being cheated by a fraudster posing as a ticket seller on Instagram.
Fraudster posed as stadium official
According to the complaint, the accused introduced himself as Sumit Biswal, claiming to be a senior supervisor at the ticket counter of M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The fraudster assured the victim that he could arrange IPL match tickets along with additional perks such as food coupons and extra ID cards. To gain the victim’s trust, he even sent what appeared to be an email confirmation.
The offer included tickets for the high-profile Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) match scheduled for Sunday, further increasing the victim’s interest.
Multiple payments under false promises
Initially, the victim agreed to purchase two tickets priced at Rs 3,700 each. However, the accused continued to demand more money under various pretexts, including refundable security deposits, additional passes, and VIP benefits.
Believing the claims, the victim made multiple UPI transactions from his own account and later from his mother’s account after reaching transaction limits. In total, he transferred approximately Rs 1.46 lakh.
Despite receiving the money, the accused neither delivered the tickets nor refunded the amount.
Fake delivery assurance near stadium
The complainant stated that the fraudster instructed him to come near gate number 10 of the stadium, assuring that someone would deliver the tickets within minutes. This tactic further convinced the victim of the deal’s authenticity.
However, no tickets were delivered, and the accused eventually became unreachable, prompting the victim to approach the police.
Case under investigation
Mahadevapura police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident. Authorities are working to trace the accused and examine the digital trail, including bank transactions and communication records.
Officials have reiterated that cybercriminals often exploit major events like the IPL to target unsuspecting buyers through fake listings and impersonation.
Rising trend of social media scams
This case reflects a broader trend of fraudsters using platforms like Instagram to lure victims with attractive offers, especially during high-demand events. Fake identities, forged confirmations, and urgency tactics are commonly used to manipulate victims.
Police have urged the public to exercise caution while purchasing tickets online and to rely only on authorised platforms and official sources.
Advisory for buyers
Authorities have advised citizens to avoid making advance payments to unknown individuals and to verify credentials before engaging in any financial transactions. Suspicious offers, especially those that seem too good to be true, should be treated with caution.
Conclusion
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with online transactions, particularly during popular events like the IPL. While police continue their investigation, citizens are urged to remain vigilant and prioritise secure purchasing methods to avoid falling prey to such scams.