As the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) began, bookies and cybercriminals became active across the country, including Uttar Pradesh, targeting innocent people who wished to earn through betting on IPL matches.

The cyber fraudsters lure people into betting on IPL matches, promising them initial wins to build trust. However, once individuals start winning and gaining money, the fraudsters manipulate the situation. They not only steal the victims’ capital but also ensnare them in debt traps by introducing them to moneylenders.

The dire consequences of falling into these traps are highlighted by incidents where individuals lost significant amounts of money and resorted to extreme measures. For instance, a 23-year-old woman in Karnataka committed suicide after her husband lost Rs 1.5 crore in IPL betting, leading to pressure from moneylenders. Similarly, a young man from Jhansi, UP, took his own life after losing Rs 80 lakh in betting.

To combat such activities, law enforcement authorities have taken action. The Uttar Pradesh Police arrested 12 individuals involved in betting in IPL from the Sushant Golf City police station area of Lucknow. Among the arrested were four notorious cybercriminals who operated fake betting websites and applications, such as Reddy IPL, IPL Jeeto, and IPL Maja. These platforms were promoted on social media to attract victims.

The arrested individuals had a history of multiple cases against them, with approximately 25 cases registered. They enticed people with promises of low risk and high earnings, manipulating them into betting and eventually cheating them out of large sums of money.

In addition to the arrests in Uttar Pradesh, the Bengaluru Police also apprehended a gang engaged in similar fraudulent activities. This gang used fake mobile applications to lure victims into betting and then transferred the winnings to accounts used for other cyber frauds.

Overall, the article sheds light on the dangers of online betting scams, emphasizing the need for vigilance and caution when participating in such activities, especially during events like IPL where cybercriminals are particularly active.