Beware of a Hyderabad businessman, BCCI tells IPL teams

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been warned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about attempts to lure participants into potentially corrupt activities. The BCCI has cautioned the owners, players, coaches, support staff, and even commentators that a businessman with dubious credentials is actively seeking to trap individuals involved in the league. The Anti-Corruption Security Unit (ACSU) seems to believe that a businessman from Hyderabad, with clear links to punters, bookies and past and proven records of involvement in corrupt activities, is trying to befriend participants. The ACSU has urged all IPL stakeholders to report any interactions with the businessman and also disclose any possible connections or engagements with him. It is also believed that the ACSU advised the league's participants to exercise caution. Teams and individuals have been asked to remain alert and report any relevant approaches. The individual's modus operandi is said to involve luring unsuspecting targets with expensive gifts, including jewellery. The individual in question is reportedly attempting to get himself close to the IPL participants by masquerading as a fan. He has allegedly been spotted at the team hotels and in the matches, making efforts to befriend players and staff, and inviting potential targets to private parties. There is also information of him offering gifts not only to team members but also to their families. Approaching the families of franchise owners, players, coaches, support staff, and even commentators is said to be one of his methods. He is said to have been offering to take them to jewellery stores and high-end hotels posing as a fan. Additionally, there are hints that he may have attempted to contact relatives abroad, frequently via social media platforms. Previously, the ACSU had told the teams that advancing technology has increased their challenges and urged all involved in the league to be alert. The BCCI stated that it is determined and committed to taking every step in its power to prevent corrupt practices that undermine the integrity of the cricket sport and that it seeks cooperation from all.