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In a striking example of how AI tools can be misused for fraud, Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested four men from Chhattisgarh accused of creating and selling fake IPL 2026 tickets using ChatGPT, graphic design software, and online tutorials. The accused allegedly targeted cricket fans outside stadiums during high-demand IPL matches.

The case has sparked fresh concerns about the growing misuse of AI and digital design tools in counterfeiting and online scams.

Who Were Arrested?

Police identified the accused as:

• Rajendra Choudhary
• Vishwajeet Sahu
• Shrikant Borkar
• Nutan Kumar Sahu

All four are residents of Durg district in Chhattisgarh. According to police, some members of the group had backgrounds in:

• Designing work
• Car washing businesses
• 2D/3D graphics work
• Digital editing

Police described Shrikant Borkar as the alleged mastermind behind the operation.

How The Fake IPL Tickets Were Made

According to investigators, the gang allegedly collected images of original IPL tickets from:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Social media posts
• Online ticket photos shared by fans

The accused then reportedly used:

• ChatGPT
• CorelDRAW
• YouTube tutorials
• Graphic editing techniques

…to recreate tickets that closely resembled authentic IPL entry passes.

Police said ChatGPT was allegedly used to gather information about:

• Ticket dimensions
• Layout structure
• Paper quality
• Barcode placement
• Printing specifications

After that, the group allegedly used CorelDRAW software to redesign and print counterfeit tickets on 170-GSM paper sheets to make them appear genuine.

Fake Tickets Sold Outside Ekana Stadium

The racket reportedly became active during the IPL 2026 match between:

• Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
  and
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

…at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Police say the gang targeted fans desperate to watch:

• Virat Kohli
• High-profile IPL clashes
• Sold-out matches

One victim, identified as Pradeep Singh from Jalaun district, reportedly purchased fake tickets worth ₹1,000 through a UPI transaction outside the stadium.

However, stadium verification staff detected barcode mismatches and stopped entry. This eventually led police to the accused.

UPI Payments Helped Police Crack The Case

Investigators said the accused made a crucial mistake by accepting digital payments.

Police reportedly tracked the gang through:

• UPI transaction records
• Bank account trails
• Mobile phone data

The arrests were made during a joint operation by:

• Lucknow Cyber Cell
• Sushant Golf City Police Station

Police Recovered Fake Tickets And Equipment

According to police statements, officers recovered:

• 15 fake IPL tickets
• Additional counterfeit ticket sheets
• ASUS laptops
• Four smartphones
• Paper cutters
• ATM cards
• Aadhaar cards
• PAN cards
• Bank documents
• A Ritz car allegedly used for travel and ticket sales

Gang Earlier Tried Selling Fake Tickets In Delhi

Police also claimed the gang had previously attempted to sell counterfeit IPL tickets outside Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. However, buyers reportedly noticed poor barcode matching and printing quality at that time.

Investigators believe the group later improved the ticket design quality before shifting operations to Lucknow.

AI Misuse Becoming A Growing Concern

The case highlights how generative AI tools and easily available design software can now be misused for:

• Ticket fraud
• Fake documents
• Counterfeit IDs
• Scam operations
• Digital forgery

Experts increasingly warn that AI systems can help fraudsters:

• Replicate layouts quickly
• Generate realistic designs
• Improve print accuracy
• Mimic official documents more effectively

This is creating new challenges for law enforcement agencies worldwide.

IPL Ticket Scams Continue To Rise

Fake IPL ticket scams have become increasingly common during high-profile matches due to:

• Massive fan demand
• Black-market ticket pricing
• Sold-out games
• Celebrity player attraction

Police have advised fans to:

• Buy tickets only from official platforms
• Avoid stadium-side ticket sellers
• Verify QR codes and barcodes
• Avoid suspicious “discounted” tickets
• Be cautious of social media sellers