Rajasthan Royals engulfed in ₹24 lakh fraud involving a Karnataka player in IPL 2025
Published - 23 May 2025, 01:38 PM | Updated - 23 May 2025, 01:44 PM
A young cricketer from Chikkodi taluk in Karnataka has reportedly been scammed of ₹24 lakh in a cyber fraud involving a fake promise of selection in the Rajasthan Royals IPL team. According to The Indian Express, the victim was convinced by fraudsters under the promise of securing a spot in the squad.
Rakesh Yadure, a 19-year-old state-level cricketer from Chinchani village in Karnataka, became the target of a cyber scam after impressing at a state-level tournament in Hyderabad in May 2024. Scammers exploited this opportunity, leading him to believe he had a real chance at a selection in the IPL.
Karnataka Cricketer Scammed of ₹24 Lakh in Fake Rajasthan Royals IPL Selection Fraud
According to the report, Rakesh Yadure was reportedly scammed out of over ₹23.5 lakh in a cyber fraud after receiving a fake IPL offer involving Rajasthan Royals. In December 2024, Rakesh got a message on Instagram claiming he had been selected to play for the Rajasthan Royals.
He was asked to fill out a registration form and pay ₹2,000 as an initial fee. The cricketer made a series of payments between December 22, 2024, and April 19, 2025.
The fraudsters promised match payments ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹8 lakh per game for Rajasthan Royals. They claimed he would soon receive team gear, a jersey, and flight tickets — none of which ever arrived. The scammers then blocked him on WhatsApp and email. Rakesh reported the incident to the police.
Innocent Youth Falling Victim to Cyber Fraud, Says Belagavi District Superintendent of Police
Belagavi District Superintendent of Police, Dr. Bhimashankar Guleda, revealed that Rakesh’s father, who works as a KSRTC security guard, managed to gather Rs 24 lakh despite financial difficulties, hoping to support his son’s cricket ambitions.
“Innocent youth are falling victim to cyber fraud like this. Rakesh’s father, a KSRTC security guard, arranged Rs 24 lakh despite financial hardship, hoping to support his son's cricket career. Sadly, it was all lost,” Guleda said.
“The fraudsters immediately withdrew the money upon deposit. The accounts are now empty. Preliminary findings suggest the culprits are based in Rajasthan. Our cyber crime team will be sent there for further investigation,” he added.
We Paid Rs 24 Lakh in Instalments, Then the Fraudsters Disappeared - Rakesh Yadure
Early investigations revealed the suspects were operating from Rajasthan, and authorities sent a cybercrime team there for further investigation. Rakesh revealed that they paid Rs 24 lakh in multiple installments, with promises of receiving a kit, jersey, and flight ticket by April 30.
“We paid Rs 24 lakh in installments. They promised to send a kit, jersey, and flight ticket by April 30 and then asked for another Rs 3 lakh. That’s when we got suspicious. They cut all contact. I request that the police help recover our money. No one else should be cheated like this,” Rakesh said.
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