IPL ticket scam: Fraudsters use fake booking sites to target fans

Authorities in multiple states have warned cricket fans about a surge in online fraud linked to ticket sales for the ongoing Indian Premier League, with scammers using fake websites, social media advertisements and forged e-tickets to cheat buyers amid soaring demand for match passes.

In Bengaluru, police registered a cyber fraud case after several people were duped by a fake ticket website that mimicked the official booking platform of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Electronic City Division Deputy Commissioner of Police M Narayana said fraudsters created the lookalike portal when demand surged for matches scheduled at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, including the April 5 clash against Chennai Super Kings. Victims were redirected to payment gateways where they selected seats and completed transactions, but the link became inactive immediately after payment .

Three complainants reported losses of ₹7,196, ₹11,991 and ₹7,497, while investigators suspect transactions worth crores of rupees may have passed through accounts connected to the fraudulent site. Authorities have moved to block the accounts and asked social media platforms to remove links promoting the scam.

Similar warnings have emerged in Kerala , where police in Thiruvananthapuram alerted the public to fake IPL ticket offers circulating on Instagram and other social media platforms. In these cases, fraudsters contact potential buyers through chats, promise VIP or limited-seat passes and send forged booking confirmations and e-tickets that resemble genuine ones. Victims often realise the fraud only after the tickets fail or the sellers stop responding.

Cybercrime officials in Telangana and Tamil Nadu have also cautioned fans about fraudulent websites and online advertisements offering match tickets at discounted prices or through early-access schemes. Many of these sites use typo-based or newly created domains designed to resemble legitimate ticket platforms before disappearing after collecting payments.

Authorities in Maharashtra have similarly flagged social media-driven ticket scams and urged buyers to avoid unofficial sellers as demand for high-profile IPL matches continues to rise.

Cybersecurity experts say the popularity of the tournament routinely triggers a surge in phishing websites, fake ticket portals and impersonation scams , as criminals exploit the scramble for limited match tickets.

Police across states have advised fans to purchase tickets only through authorised platforms and avoid clicking on suspicious links or messages advertising “exclusive” or “bumper” ticket sales.