May 21, 2025

A young cricketer's family in Karnataka fell prey to cyber fraudsters who promised him a place in the IPL team, swindling over ₹24 lakh. Rakesh Yadure, a 19-year-old aspiring cricketer, was contacted by individuals claiming to represent the IPL Team Rajasthan Royals. The fraudsters, posing as cricket agents, praised his skills and falsely assured him a spot in the team following his performance in a State-level match in Hyderabad. The scammers, operating under the guise of a fake online handle, convinced Rakesh that selectors had spotted him during the tournament. Subsequently, they instructed him to fill out an application form and transfer ₹2,000. As the deception progressed, the family ended up transferring ₹23,53,550 to the fraudsters by April 19, 2025, with the promise of substantial match fees. Rakesh's father, a KSRTC security guard, resorted to borrowing money to meet the scammers' demands. However, the fraudsters disappeared after receiving the money, prompting the family to report the incident to the police. The case has been lodged with the district cybercrime police, and investigations are ongoing. Superintendent of Police Bheemashankar S Guled has cautioned the public against falling for such fraudulent schemes, emphasizing the need to remain vigilant against online scams.

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Tags: Cyber fraud, Cricket, Karnataka, Ipl, Scam,