“Bhai, guess what? I got VIP tickets for the CSK vs MI match! Just ₹999 each!”
Ravi was practically glowing on the phone. He’d found a ‘crazy deal’ on some ticketing website shared in a WhatsApp group. A sleek interface, countdown timers, and a payment gateway that looked just like the real thing. It had to be legit, right?
Wrong.
By the time match day arrived, Ravi was still refreshing his inbox, waiting for the promised QR code tickets. Spoiler alert: they never came.
The IPL season has always brought more than cricket: glitz, drama, betting, and now, scams.
This year, cyber crooks have upped their game, and while the players are battling it out on the field, scammers are quietly running a parallel league online, with unsuspecting fans as their wickets.
Let’s dive into how this dark game unfolds.
The “Golden Ticket” Scam: When FOMO Becomes Expensive
“I booked four tickets and even paid extra for a front-row seat. Why am I not getting any confirmation?” asked Priya, scrolling through a website that had now mysteriously vanished.
Fraudulent ticketing platforms have become the new hustle. These websites mimic official ticketing portals with professional design, IPL branding, and even fake customer reviews.
Fans in a rush (and let’s admit, a little greedy for a last-minute steal) often don’t look twice before keying in their card details.
But here’s the catch: you don’t just lose money, you also lose your financial data.
Scammers behind these operations often sell the card info later on dark web marketplaces, meaning one ₹999 ticket could cost you a much bigger price later.
Red Flag Tip: Always double-check the URL.
If it’s not from a recognized seller like BookMyShow, Paytm Insider, or official IPL links, you’re likely staring at a trap.
Fake Live Streaming Links: Watch the Match, Lose Your Data
“Click here for HD Live IPL streaming – No subscription needed!”
That one line is bait for millions, especially students and cricket fans who don’t want to pay ₹300 for a Hotstar plan.
Once clicked, these links take you to an innocent-looking page. Some even play 10 seconds of ‘buffering’ footage to make it feel real.
But instead of a match, you get malware, phishing prompts, or forced subscriptions to services you didn’t sign up for.
A college student from Hyderabad reported that his Gmail, UPI, and even his Google Photos were accessed after falling for one of these links. And that’s not just embarrassing—it’s dangerous.
The Free Ticket WhatsApp Scam: “Forward This to 10 Friends…”
“Bro, I got a free ticket link from the IPL itself. Shared it with 10 friends and got mine unlocked. Try it!”
What started as a clever chain message soon spiraled into a full-blown data-harvesting machine.
The scam format is simple:
- Click the link
- Enter your details (phone number, name, sometimes address)
- Share the message with your WhatsApp groups
- Get nothing in return
Except now, scammers have your mobile number and your trust—and they’ll use that for more targeted attacks later. Some victims even reported receiving fake job offers and insurance calls a week after submitting their details.
Behind the Screens: Who’s Running the Show?
Most of these scams are run by organized groups. They set up temporary domains, blast out sponsored ads, and then disappear before authorities can catch them.
Some are even powered by AI-driven chatbots that can respond like customer care agents, tricking people into feeling like they’re “just one step away” from their reward.
While the Cyber Crime Cells in India are issuing warnings, the sheer volume of such scams makes it hard to police every instance.
IPL or I ’ll-Pay-Later? Time to Get Smart
You love cricket. So do scammers. The only difference is, they see your passion as profit.
Here’s what you can do:
- Don’t click on links forwarded by friends without verifying the source.
- Never give out OTPs, phone numbers, or card info on shady websites.
- Use official apps for streaming, and avoid third-party APKs.
And always, always—pause before acting on anything that sounds too good to be true during IPL season.
Final Word: The Real Game is Awareness
IPL matches last 3 hours. But the consequences of falling for a scam can last much longer.
So the next time someone forwards you a magical link with a tempting deal, ask yourself one thing:
Is this cricket… or just another trick?
