Gang arrested for selling IPL tickets forged with ChatGPT in Lucknow
Four men from Chhattisgarh were arrested in Lucknow on 8 May 2026 for selling forged IPL tickets they created using ChatGPT to gather ticket specifications and CorelDRAW to replicate genuine tickets. Police traced them through UPI payment records after a customer reported purchasing counterfeit tickets.
What happened
A gang of four men from Durg, Chhattisgarh used ChatGPT to obtain information about ticket size, design and paper quality, then created counterfeit IPL 2026 tickets using CorelDRAW by copying photos of genuine tickets. They sold these fake tickets to customers outside Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
On 7 May 2026, Pradeep Singh from Jalaun purchased two tickets from the gang for 1,000 rupees via UPI. When he tried to enter the stadium, staff detected the tickets were fake using barcode verification and denied him entry. Singh filed a complaint with Sushant Golf City police.
Reported impact
Singh was prevented from attending an IPL match after paying 1,000 rupees for forged tickets. Police recovered 15 counterfeit IPL tickets, 14 partially completed counterfeits, printing equipment, laptops, and payment records from the gang.
Index analysis
The gang used ChatGPT to research authentic ticket specifications to make counterfeits indistinguishable from genuine tickets. One member, Vishwajeet Sahu, had completed 2D and 3D design courses via YouTube and coaching to operate CorelDRAW for ticket production.
Governance controls
Lucknow Police worked with the Cyber Cell to trace the gang through UPI transaction records, leading to arrests at Dodankhedan Chauraha. Police seized devices and payment instruments used in the scheme.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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