Belagavi police have arrested two men from Uttar Pradesh for allegedly duping a 19-year-old state-level cricketer from Karnataka of ₹24 lakh by falsely promising him a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals.
The accused, identified as Susanjan and Diwakar from Sultanpur district in Uttar Pradesh, are both in their late twenties. They were arrested following a complaint filed by the victim, Rakesh Yadure, a young cricketer from Chinchani village in Chikkodi taluk of Belagavi district.
Addressing the media, Belagavi Superintendent of Police Bheemashankar S. Guled stated, “Investigations have revealed that Susanjan had previously cheated two others using a similar modus operandi, while Diwakar appears to be a first-time offender.”
According to police, Yadure had caught the attention of selectors during a cricket tournament in Hyderabad in May 2024. Proud of his performance, he posted videos and photos on Instagram. Shortly after, he received a friend request from one of the accused, who posed as a representative of the Rajasthan Royals’ talent scouting team.
In December 2024, Yadure received a message claiming he had been shortlisted for the IPL team. The message included a link to a so-called registration form and requested an initial payment of ₹2,000. Over the next few months — between December 22, 2024, and April 19, 2025 — Yadure made multiple payments totaling ₹23.53 lakh, lured by the promise of match fees ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹8 lakh.
The fraud came to light when Yadure, realising he had been scammed, approached the Belagavi Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics (CEN) Crime Police Station on May 17. His father, a security guard employed with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, supported him in filing the complaint.
SP Guled noted that the accused had used the defrauded money for personal expenses and lifestyle indulgences. He also issued a public advisory: “We urge citizens, especially youngsters, not to fall for online claims of sports selections, jobs, or cash rewards. Always verify through official channels.”
The duo is currently in police custody, and further investigation is underway to identify if there are more victims of the scam.