Fake dinner with the Indian cricket team scores dodgy promoter thousands

A promoter has used flyers and ads on Gumtree to bilk money out of cricket fans by promising them a private dinner with the Indian cricket team.

One of Sydney’s top Indian restaurants fears 200 or more upset people will be at its door on Tuesday night after paying an Australian-based scammer up to $550 each for a non-existent dinner with the Indian cricket team.

The fraudster left flyers on cars parked at the SCG during the last one-day international between the tourists and Australia. The fake event has also been advertised on Gumtree.

The flyer promoted a “meet & greet with the Indian cricket team” at Manjit’s Wharf on Tuesday January 5 from 6-10.30pm. Tickets were $550 apiece.

The flyer used as part of a scam to promote a non-existent dinner with the Indian cricket team. Picture: Supplied

But the Lime Street restaurant’s owners told The Daily Telegraph that the promoter did not pay a full $5000 deposit and missed meetings arranged to discuss the menu, decorations and timings.

Because it provides all meals for the Indian players when they are in Sydney, Manjit’s was able to check if any were going to attend.

They weren’t. That was when it became clear the promoter was running a rort.

The fraud was reported to police as well as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s ScamWatch service, said Manjit’s general manager Deep Gujral.

“I don’t know what further to do,” Mr Gujral said. “I’m expecting 200 people at the front door if not more – who knows how many people he stopped at.”

Mr Gujral said players from the team ate at Manjit’s “every second night” but had been warned not to go on Tuesday evening.

Members of the Indian Cricket team were never scheduled to be at the dinner in question. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

NSW Police confirmed it was a “fraudulent event” and urged people who had paid the scammer to get in touch.

“This is not a legitimate function and the public is urged not to make any payments for tickets to the dinner,” a statement on the NSW Police Facebook page said.

“Anyone who has purchased tickets to this function, or has information that may assist, is urged to contact Sydney City Police Area Command.”

The promoter is known to be based in Australia because he part-paid the deposit in-person.

Cricket Australia’s security was alerted to the flyer after concerns such an event could breach biosecurity rules but instantly became suspicious the advertisement was a hoax.

About three weeks ago the scammer asked for his part-deposit of $2000 to be refunded to a Bank of Queensland account registered with its Newstead branch.

He also signed a contract but then he did not meet its terms.

When the discussions were still active, Manjit’s was set to charge the promoter no more than $220 a head.

Indian star Jasprit Bumrah was one of the players who fans had hoped to be at the dinner. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

He said as many as 20 players would attend, with one seated with each 10-person table of guests.

Every half-hour the players would rotate “so that they get to everyone,” the fraudster claimed.

Wine and beer said to be included.

“You can take your own photos all night and we will take a photo at the start of the night with you and the first player on your table,” he said.

“You receive this as a keyring photo at the end of the night.”

An added sense of urgency was created by saying that COVID-19 restrictions had put a limit on the number of tickets that could be sold.

Mr Gujral said he felt sorry for people who had paid the fraudster.

India's Rohit Sharma (R) with team coach Ravi Shastri (L), both of whom would have attended the fake dinner. Picture: William West/AFP

“I know people who’ve bought tickets,” he said. “They are just innocent victims in this thing.

“They will turn up and be disappointed.”

The Telegraph contacted the promoter but no response was received.