India Premier League's (IPL) popularity has only skyrocketed since its inception. The cash-rich league's world-wide popularity is something we are all aware of. But a Gang of Cons in Gujarat orchestrated a fake IPL in order to dupe Russian gamblers.
According to a report in the Times of India, the fake IPL was being played at a farm in Molipur Village of the Mehsana district in Gujarat and the tournament had progressed to the quarter-finals stage before the racket was was busted. Later, four of the thugs are arrested for running the fake T20 cricket league.
Charading a near-perfect con, the accused had a proper live setup and orchestrated nearly real matches. They also engaged a commentator from Meerut who could mimic Harsha Bhogle.
They accepted bets from punters in three Russian cities of Tver, Voronezh and Moscow on the matches of the league, which was being broadcast live over a YouTube channel.
The report further stated that 21 farm labourers and unemployed youths from the village pretended to be players from IPL sides Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. To make the tournament look more authentic, five HD cameras were used and a crowd-noise sound effect was added.
Veteran cricket commentator took to Twitter to share the news.
As the racked has been busted and so far the police have arrested four people in connection to the fraud case. Shoeb Davda, who returned to Molipur after working for eight months in a Russian pub, is the "chief organiser' of the con, according to the police.
“Shoeb hired the farm of Ghulam Masih and installed halogen lights there. He readied 21 farm labourers, promising them Rs 400 per match. Next, he hired cameramen and bought t-shirts of IPL teams,” police officer Bhavesh Rathod said.
Bets were being placed via a Telegram channel. The Mehsana police have so far arrested four people and are investigating the hawala channel that was used to keep this con alive.
