A woman from Kolkata has fallen victim to a cyber fraud scheme, where she was tricked into purchasing a discounted IPL ticket through a fake Instagram offer, the police confirmed today.
The woman, eager to attend an upcoming IPL 2025 match, came across an Instagram account offering cheap IPL tickets. The account appeared professional and convincing, displaying IPL logos and promotional content, luring many users.
Enticed by the offer, she contacted the account’s handler, who claimed to be an authorized ticket seller. After exchanging messages, she was instructed to transfer a certain amount of money to a bank account for the ticket booking.
Believing the deal to be genuine, she made the payment. However, once the money was transferred, the fraudster ceased all communication. No ticket was delivered, and her attempts to contact the seller were blocked.
Realizing she had been duped, the woman reported the incident to the Kolkata Police Cyber Cell. Authorities registered a case under relevant sections of cyber fraud and cheating, and an investigation is currently underway to trace the culprits.
Police officials have urged the public to remain cautious and avoid purchasing tickets through unauthorized sources or social media platforms. They advised IPL fans to use official ticketing websites or trusted vendors to avoid such scams.
With the IPL 2025 season drawing massive attention, fraudsters are actively exploiting fans’ eagerness to attend matches. Several similar cases have been reported in recent weeks, prompting police to issue public warnings.
Authorities are also collaborating with social media platforms to track fraudulent accounts and prevent further scams.
Cyber experts highlight the importance of verifying seller authenticity, especially for high-demand events like IPL matches. Victims of similar scams are encouraged to report incidents promptly for effective action.
This Kolkata IPL scam is a reminder of the growing trend of online fraud targeting sports fans, and the need for increased awareness and cyber vigilance.
