According to multiple reports, a group of conmen duped punters in Russia to part with almost 3,700 pounds (INR 3 lakhs), accepting bets on a fake version of the Indian Premier League, with the matches being held on a farm in Gujarat.
The charade played out in the Molipur village near the state of Gujarat, with the conmen setting up an elaborate plan to dupe the Russian gamblers, located in the cities of Tver, Voronezh and Moscow, according to Times of India. More than 20 labourers and unemployed youths were paid INR 400 (around £4) per game to pose as cricketers of IPL teams Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans in team jerseys, with a fake umpire overseeing proceedings, as per the BBC.
The matches were reportedly live-streamed on a YouTube channel called “IPL”, with a cricket commentator, made to imitate Harsha Bhogle, describing the events of the game. Five cameras brought the action live to the viewers in Russia, with the crowd noise effects downloaded from the internet, and played via a speaker to make events more realistic.
The “Indian Premier Cricket League” started three weeks after the culmination of the real event, which ended in May. The conmen managed to take the tournament to the quarterfinals before police intervened and busted the plot.
The event was the brainchild of “chief organiser” Shoeb Davda, who spent eight months in Russian pubs that were famous for taking bets. He set up a Telegram channel, where the Russians placed bets, which were then revealed to the on-field “umpire” using walkie-talkies, who would signal to the players whether to hit a boundary or get out.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the case so far. Police inspector Bhavesh Rathod gave an insight into how the conmen went ahead with the plan, telling The Times of India, “Shoeb hired a farm and installed halogen lights. He readied 21 farm labourers, promising them Rs 400 per match, Next, he hired cameramen and bought T-shirts of IPL teams.”
Betting is illegal in India, and the accused have been charged with gambling and criminal conspiracy.
Upon reading the incident, “real” commentator Bhogle took to Twitter, stating he “must hear” the person who imitated him. “Can’t stop laughing. Must hear this “commentator”,” he wrote.
Can't stop laughing. Must hear this "commentator" pic.twitter.com/H4EcTBkJVa
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 11, 2022
