How 4 Men Used ChatGPT And Design Software To Run Fake IPL Ticket Racket

Four men from Durg district, Chhattisgarh, were arrested in Uttar Pradesh in connection with selling fake IPL 2026 tickets. They allegedly used ChatGPT to edit photos of genuine tickets and CorelDRAW to print counterfeit tickets and passes, and investigators believe the group operated in multiple cities during major IPL matches. A victim, Pradeep Singh of Orai, bought a fake ticket for Rs 1,000 and was stopped at entry due to a faulty barcode. The payment trace via UPI helped police locate the suspects. Recovered items included four smartphones, one laptop, 15 fake IPL tickets, GSM paper sheets, two paper cutters, a Ritz car, a bank passbook, four ATM cards, three PAN cards, and two Aadhaar cards. Suspects' backgrounds were noted, including Nutan Kumar Sahu (diploma holder), Vishwajeet Sahu (intermediate), Shrikant Borkar (mastermind, graduate; works in car washing and design), and Rajendra Choudhary (car washing). The matter came to light during the IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Police say the group from Chhattisgarh previously tried to sell counterfeit IPL tickets outside Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium but failed after buyers noticed mismatches in ticket quality and barcode details.