Bengaluru: With the growing craze for the Indian Premier League (IPL), cybercriminals have begun targeting ticket buyers, exploiting the high demand and urgency. In one such case, a woman security guard in Bengaluru was duped out of ₹52,500 in a fake IPL ticket scam, highlighting the rising risks of online ticket purchases.
Fake QR Codes Made the Deal Look Real
The victim, employed with a private security firm, was on duty at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28 during an IPL match. While at work, she approached a bouncer at the venue to enquire about ticket availability. The bouncer allegedly shared a mobile number, assuring her that tickets could be arranged through that contact. This marked the beginning of the fraud.
Small Payment First, Bigger Trap Later
According to the complaint, the victim initially transferred ₹3,000 online to purchase two tickets. Shortly after, the accused sent QR codes in her name, which appeared authentic and resembled legitimate digital passes. These convincing visuals helped the fraudster gain her trust.
Taking advantage of this trust, the accused persuaded her to purchase more tickets. Over time, the victim made five transactions between March 30 and April 4, totalling ₹52,500. Each time, she was assured that valid match passes would be delivered soon.
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However, when the promised tickets never arrived, and the accused stopped responding to calls and messages, the victim realised she had been cheated. She then approached the Central Division Cyber Crime Police Station and lodged a formal complaint.
Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. Preliminary findings suggest this may not be an isolated incident but part of a larger, organised cyber-fraud network targeting individuals during high-demand events like IPL matches.
Police Probe Wider Racket Behind Fake Ticket Network
Investigators are currently analysing the bank account where the money was transferred, the mobile number, the digital payment trail, and the technical aspects of the QR codes used in the scam. Officials believe the network could have links extending to other cities or states.
Cybercrime experts say such scams rely heavily on social engineering tactics. Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh explains,
“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 urged citizens to remain cautious while purchasing tickets from unknown or unauthorised sources. They advise verifying sellers’ credibility before making any online payments and relying only on official platforms or authorised vendors.
IPL Craze Becomes a Goldmine for Cyber Frauds
Authorities have also warned against scanning or trusting suspicious QR codes and links without proper verification. Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency or offer limited-time deals to pressure victims into making quick decisions.
With IPL matches driving massive ticket demand, such cyber fraud cases are on the rise. Awareness and vigilance remain the most effective safeguards against falling prey to such scams.
For now, police are focused on identifying the accused and uncovering the full extent of the network. Further revelations are expected in the coming days, which may shed light on how these organised cyber gangs operate and how many victims they have targeted so far.
