In a sophisticated operation, a Chhattisgarh-based gang comprising Class XII-pass designers and small-time businessmen allegedly used AI chatbots, graphic designing software, and social media platforms to run an inter-state fake IPL ticket racket outside the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The racket was busted on Thursday following a joint operation by the Cyber Cell and Sushant Golf City police.
Four Arrested in Joint Operation
The police arrested four accused who allegedly prepared counterfeit IPL tickets that closely resembled genuine entry passes and sold them to unsuspecting cricket fans at discounted rates. The accused were identified as Shrikant Borkar (30), Nutan Kumar Sahu (28), Rajendra Chaudhary (29), and Vishwajeet Sahu (22), all residents of Durg district in Chhattisgarh.
Key Role of Vishwajeet Sahu
Additional DCP, South Zone, Vasant Kumar, who led the probe, said that Vishwajeet Sahu, a Class XII-pass 2D/3D designer, allegedly played the key role in preparing the fake IPL tickets. During interrogation, Sahu told police that he had learned graphic and elevation designing through YouTube tutorials and coaching classes. Investigators revealed that he used CorelDRAW software to recreate IPL tickets after downloading photographs of original passes from Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Use of AI Chatbots
ADCP Kumar revealed that the gang even used ChatGPT to gather technical details related to ticket dimensions, paper quality, and formatting so that the fake passes could resemble original IPL tickets as closely as possible. This use of artificial intelligence highlights the evolving nature of such fraudulent activities.
Previous Attempt in Delhi
According to police, the gang initially tested its operation in Delhi during IPL matches at Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 4. However, the attempt failed because the ticket quality and barcode details did not properly match the original passes. The failure did not deter them, and they moved to Lucknow for their next attempt.
Exposure of the Racket
The racket was exposed after Jalaun resident Pradeep Singh approached police alleging that he had purchased two IPL tickets outside the stadium and transferred Rs 1,000 through UPI, only to later discover at the entry gate that the tickets were fake. This complaint led to the swift action by the authorities.
Recoveries from the Accused
Police recovered fake IPL tickets, mobile phones, digital transaction records, and the vehicle used in the operation from the accused. The investigation is ongoing to trace any other members of the gang and to understand the full extent of their operations.
