As the excitement around the Indian Premier League (IPL) continues to build, Kaspersky is warning cricket fans in India about scam websites exploiting the tournament’s popularity. Researchers have identified short-lived betting and phishing platforms designed to trick users into sharing personal data and engaging in fraudulent activities.
The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 continues to attract millions of cricket enthusiasts across India and beyond, from passionate fans who closely follow every match to casual viewers drawn to the high-energy spectacle. This widespread engagement, especially across digital platforms, creates a fertile ground for cybercriminals to exploit user interest during the tournament.
Fake betting website posing as a trusted IPL platform
One of the prominent tactics involves fake betting platforms hosted on newly created or “typo” domains, websites that imitate legitimate platforms with slight spelling variations. These sites often disappear shortly after the event, making it difficult for users to verify authenticity or recover lost funds.
Users are typically encouraged to create a “Betting ID,” but instead of proper verification procedures, they are asked to contact operators via messaging apps such as WhatsApp. This bypasses standard security checks and increases the risk of personal data misuse.
“Major sporting events like the IPL create a perfect opportunity for cybercriminals, as fans actively look for ways to engage, whether through streaming, ticketing, or betting. Scams like these leverage urgency and excitement, making it critical for users to stay cautious and verify platforms before sharing any personal or financial information. Equally important is having reliable security solutions installed on devices, providing real-time protection against malicious links, fake apps, and phishing attempts,” comments Jaydeep Singh, General Manager for India at Kaspersky.
In many cases, fraudulent platforms exploit urgency, prompting users to act quickly without verification. The use of messaging apps for transactions is a key red flag, as legitimate services follow secure onboarding processes. The short lifespan of these websites also enables attackers to rotate domains and evade detection, reinforcing the need for user awareness.
Staying safe from IPL-related scams:
To safeguard Indians against IPL-related scams, Kaspersky has existing promotions for its consumer suite, including its flagship Kaspersky Premium.
This award-winning solution has several features that tackle the different types of IPL-related scams, including:
- Anti-Phishing Protection: Detects and blocks scam websites that mimic IPL ticketing and streaming platforms.
- Safe Browsing Alerts: Warns users before they visit suspicious or unsafe links, preventing fraud.
- Secure Keyboard: Prevents keyloggers from stealing login credentials entered on fake sites.
- Safe Money Technology: Provides a secure payment environment when booking IPL tickets or purchasing streaming subscriptions.
- Real-Time Fraud Detection: Identifies and blocks unauthorized transactions on fake IPL sites.
- Anti-Scam Alerts: Notifies users when entering card details on potentially fraudulent pages.
- Spam Call & SMS Filtering: Detects and blocks messages with fraudulent IPL offers, fake betting schemes, or phishing links.
- Ad & Tracker Blocker: Stops fake IPL streaming sites from auto-redirecting users to scam pages.
- Website Reputation Checker: Shows ratings and user feedback on sites before clicking links.
By using Kaspersky Premium, Indians can enjoy IPL 2025 without the risk of ticketing scams, fake streaming sites, phishing attacks, and WhatsApp fraud.
Aside from installing a reliable cybersecurity solution, Kaspersky experts also suggest the following measures to protect their data and money from scammers this IPL season:
- Be cautious of newly created or suspicious websites: Scam platforms are often hosted on newly registered or “typo” domains that imitate legitimate services. Always double-check the website URL before engaging.
- Avoid creating “Betting IDs” via messaging apps: Legitimate platforms follow proper verification procedures. If a website asks you to create an account by contacting someone on WhatsApp or similar apps, treat it as a red flag.
- Do not trust platforms that skip verification steps: Secure services require proper identity checks. Websites that allow instant access without verification may be designed to collect your data.
- Watch out for time-limited or event-based websites: Many scam sites appear shortly before or during major events like the IPL and disappear quickly, making them difficult to trace or report.
- Avoid sharing personal or financial information on unverified platforms: Never provide sensitive details such as bank information, OTPs, or passwords unless you are certain the platform is legitimate.
- Be wary of urgency tactics: Scammers often pressure users with limited-time offers or “exclusive” opportunities to act quickly without verification.
- Report suspicious websites or messages: If you encounter fraudulent IPL-related platforms or WhatsApp messages, report them to the relevant authorities or cybercrime helplines.
