A 25-year-old techie in Bengaluru lost ₹1.46 lakh after falling victim to an IPL ticket scam on Instagram. The incident came ahead of the high-demand clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings, once again highlighting the risks of buying tickets through unofficial sources during IPL 2026.
How the IPL Ticket Scam Happened
According to the complaint filed at Mahadevapura police station, the accused posed as a senior supervisor at the ticket counter of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and promised to arrange match tickets along with VIP benefits.
The victim said, “Initially, I agreed to buy two tickets for ₹3,700 each, but he kept asking for more money under various pretexts such as refundable security deposits, additional ID cards and food coupons.”
As the conversation progressed, the accused continued to build trust by sending fake confirmations and instructions.
The victim added,”He asked me to come near the stadium gate number 10, saying someone would deliver the tickets within minutes, and even sent an email confirmation to gain my trust.”
Trusting the seller, the victim made multiple UPI payments, even using his mother’s account after reaching transaction limits, eventually transferring around ₹1.46 lakh.
Note: Always purchase IPL tickets only from official platforms or verified sellers. Avoid deals from Instagram or unknown contacts offering VIP access, extra passes, or refundable deposits. Scammers often use fake confirmations and urgency to gain trust. If something feels suspicious, do not proceed with payment. Stay alert and enjoy IPL 2026 safely.
Police Action and Growing IPL Ticket Scams
Despite receiving the money, the accused neither delivered the tickets nor issued any refund. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the fraud.
Officials say such scams are increasing during IPL season due to high ticket demand, especially for matches involving top teams.
Authorities have urged fans to rely only on official ticket platforms and avoid deals offered through social media. This case highlights how easily fraudsters exploit IPL demand and why extra caution is needed while purchasing tickets online.
Bengaluru Police also shared a public warning on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the rise in IPL ticket fraud cases and urging fans to stay cautious while purchasing tickets online.
