Man approaches Mohammed Siraj on call to give him “Inside News” of RCB, arrested by cops
New Delhi (PTI): Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Mohammed Siraj has reported a "corrupt approach" to BCCI's Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) from an unknown person, who wanted "inside news" about his team after "losing a lot of money" in an IPL game.
The India pacer, who is the leading wicket-taker for RCB with eight scalps, said he got a call and promptly reported the matter to ACU officials, who are attached with the teams.
RCB lost their previous match to Chennai Super Kings by eight runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium with fortunes swinging wildly. Sri Lankan pace bowler Matheesha Parthirana bowled two crucial death overs to restrict the home team to 218/8 in the chase of 226 and earn victory for CSK.
"It wasn't a bookie who approached Siraj. It is a driver from Hyderabad who is addicted to betting on matches. He had lost huge money and approached Siraj for inside information," a senior BCCI source privy to the developments told PTI on condition of anonymity.
"Siraj reported the approach immediately. The law enforcement authorities have nabbed the man. More details are awaited," the source added.
The BCCI had beefed up its ACU network ever since the spot-fixing scandal, involving S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila and then CSK team principal Gurunath Meiyappan, was unearthed in 2013.
Now, each team has a dedicated ACU official who stays in the same hotel and is there at the ground monitoring all the movements.
Also, there is a mandatory ACU workshop for players on the dos and don'ts, and if any player fails to report a corrupt approach, there are sanctions in place.
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan was suspended in 2021 as he didn't report a corrupt approach during his IPL stint in the previous season.
RCB are currently placed eighth with four points after two wins and three defeats.
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Don't fall prey to 'digital arrest', understand it's a fraud: Fadnavis
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said 'digital arrest' is a fraud and not legally tenable, appealing to people to guard against cyber theft.
There is nothing like a 'digital arrest' in the law, he asserted while intervening in a Question Hour debate on the issue raised by SP's Abu Azmi in the state assembly.
The chief minister emphasised that if victims report the cyber frauds to helpline 1930 within the critical "golden hour" (critical for stopping fraudulent transactions), about 90 per cent of the money can be recovered.
"I want to tell citizens that there is nothing called digital arrest in law. If you get a phone call or video call telling you that you are under digital arrest...understand it's a fraud and report to 1930 (cybercrime helpline number)," Fadnavis said.
Explaining the modus operandi, the CM said in such frauds, a victim gets a video call and is told that the person on the other side is a CBI, police or customs officer.
"He tells you that a parcel in your name has come and drugs are found in it. You are under digital arrest and asked not to move away from the screen and online money transfer is done by the scared victims," he pointed out.
Fadnavis expressed concern that despite awareness and cyber protection systems in place, several people have fallen victim, including retired IAS and defence officers.
In such cases of fraud, the mastermind is based abroad, in countries with which India doesn't have any treaty. The online money transfers are sent to bank accounts in foreign countries, he noted.
"If the victims report to 1930 in the 'golden hour', at least 90 per cent of the money is recovered. We have the cyber safety system in place," the CM stressed.
