City police have warned of a surge in online fraud involving fake tickets for Indian Premier League (IPL), with scamsters exploiting the ongoing season to target unsuspecting buyers.According to officials, fake pages and advertisements are being widely circulated on social media platforms, including Instagram, claiming availability of IPL match tickets. Those who respond are approached through chat, where fraudsters gain their trust and demand amounts higher than the regular price, citing them as ‘VIP tickets’ or ‘limited seats’.Police said the accused often share forged booking confirmations and e-tickets that closely resemble genuine ones to convince buyers. As the IPL season begins and demand rises, such tactics are increasingly being used to lure victims.In several cases, victims realize the fraud only after the tickets are found invalid or after the fraudsters stop responding. By then, the money trail is often manipulated in such a way that recovery becomes difficult.Authorities have advised the public not to trust ticket offers circulated through social media and to purchase tickets only through official websites or authorized platforms. tnn
