Cyber Police have issued a warning to cricket fans over fake India-West Indies ODI tickets being sold through social media ahead of the first ODI on September 27, 2026. The match is scheduled to take place at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, with ticket demand increasing ahead of the Sunday fixture. According to the warning issued on September 25, fraudsters are using fake Instagram pages and WhatsApp accounts to target fans looking for match tickets.
The scammers reportedly collect personal information before using a series of payment demands to extract money from victims. The scam follows a carefully structured pattern. Fans who respond to fraudulent ticket advertisements are initially asked to make a payment for the ticket. Once the first payment is completed, scammers introduce additional charges, claiming they are required for GST, verification, processing or refundable security deposits.
Victims are then told that their tickets will not be released unless these additional payments are made. In some cases, scammers threaten to cancel the booking or forfeit the money already paid if fans refuse to comply. This creates pressure on victims to continue transferring money, even after they begin to suspect something is wrong.
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The fraud often begins with social media accounts designed to look like genuine ticket sellers. Fake Instagram pages may use cricket-related names, logos and images to create an appearance of legitimacy. Others approach fans directly through WhatsApp after they show interest in advertisements offering India-West Indies ODI tickets.
Cyber Police have advised fans to be particularly cautious about unsolicited ticket offers received through social media. Supporters should not transfer money to WhatsApp numbers obtained through advertisements and should never share sensitive financial information, including OTPs, UPI PINs or bank details, with unknown individuals.
Fans looking to attend the India vs West Indies ODI in Thiruvananthapuram have been advised to purchase tickets only through official ticketing platforms and verified announcements from authorised organisers. The Kerala Cricket Association and its official ticketing partners should be treated as the legitimate sources for information regarding the fixture.
Anyone who has already fallen victim to an India-West Indies ticket scam should report the incident to the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or submit a complaint through the official cybercrime reporting portal as soon as possible. Early reporting can help authorities track transactions and potentially reduce further financial losses.
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Fans should also report suspicious Instagram accounts and WhatsApp numbers directly to the respective platforms. With the first ODI just days away, authorities are urging supporters to verify ticket sellers carefully rather than risk losing money to fraudulent offers. The India-West Indies ODI series begins on September 27, making ticket-related scams a growing concern as fans prepare for the highly anticipated fixture in Thiruvananthapuram.
