Palghar Cricket Scam: Odisha Man Dupes 2 Aspiring Cricketers Of ₹10.45 Lakh With Fake Abroad Promise; Case Registered

Palghar, Maharashtra: An elaborate cricket scam has come to light, with an Odisha resident allegedly defrauding two aspiring cricketers of a total of ₹10.45 lakh under the pretext of sending them abroad to play professional cricket.

The accused, identified as Mrutyunjay Bishnoi, is now facing serious charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed on July 7, 2025. The complaint was lodged by 21-year-old Mohammed Johar, a resident of Nalasopara East.

According to police, Bishnoi allegedly assured Johar and another victim, Alam, that he could facilitate their entry into international cricket opportunities. Over a period spanning from 2021 to 2025, he reportedly collected ₹10.45 lakh from the duo through multiple online transfers.

Despite the hefty payments, neither of the victims was sent abroad, nor was any part of the money refunded. Realising they had been misled, they approached authorities, resulting in an FIR being registered under Sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code.

Officials noted that the delay in lodging the complaint stemmed from an internal inquiry and the process of obtaining clearance from senior officers. So far, no arrests have been made, and the funds remain unrecovered. The investigation is ongoing.