Fake Garba passes for 25 Ahmedabad events sold via Instagram; Cyber Crime steps in
Synopsis
An Instagram account selling fake Garba passes at half price has triggered a Cyber Crime investigation in Ahmedabad — with around 25 events targeted, four to five victims already identified, and the accused believed to be operating from outside Gujarat. The case exposes a festive-season ticketing scam that weaponises brand logos, fake emails, and social-media reach to defraud buyers of high-demand Navratri events.
Key Takeaways
Ahmedabad's Cyber Crime Branch has booked Instagram user 'veer.rajjputtt' for selling fake passes for approximately 25 Garba events .
Four to five victims have been identified so far; the accused is suspected to be operating from outside Gujarat .
The targeted event, 'Anant Brahmand' , held on 14 October , had official passes priced between ₹4,000 and ₹10,000 ; one victim paid ₹3,100 for a fake ticket.
The fraudulent account allegedly used the organiser's name, logo, and a fake email address to lend credibility.
Complaint filed by Kinjankumar Patel , manager of event firm Ahmedabad Experience Exchange .
The public can report suspected online fraud via the national cybercrime helpline 1930 .
Ahmedabad's Cyber Crime Branch has booked an Instagram user operating under the handle 'veer.rajjputtt' for allegedly selling counterfeit passes for around 25 major Garba events across the city, with four to five victims identified so far and investigators suspecting the accused is based outside Gujarat. The case surfaced on 17 October 2026 after an event management firm filed a formal complaint over the misuse of its brand identity.
How the Fraud Was Discovered
The complaint was filed by Ahmedabad Experience Exchange, which organises events under the Anant brand and operates from Shilp Shivalik, Sindhu Bhavan Road, Bodakdev. The company's flagship event, 'Anant Brahmand', held on 14 October, was one of the targeted properties. Its official passes were priced between ₹4,000 and ₹10,000 and sold exclusively through its website, anantgarba.com.
On 12 October, a person alerted the organisers via their official Instagram account about a suspicious profile offering heavily discounted passes. Investigators found that at least one customer had paid ₹3,100 for a purported Anant Brahmand ticket. When the company examined the ticket's QR code and booking details, it allegedly found discrepancies pointing to forgery.
How the Scam Was Structured
According to the complaint, the fraudulent account used the organisers' names, logos, and visual branding to make the offers look legitimate. A fake email address closely resembling the company's official identity was also reportedly used to add credibility to the transactions. The account allegedly advertised passes at roughly half the official price, a classic lure in event-ticketing fraud.
The messages indicated that tickets were being offered outside the company's authorised booking channels, and a second customer was also found to have encountered similar offers online. The company alleged the unauthorised sales caused confusion among attendees and posed a serious threat to its reputation.
What Police Said
Cyber Crime Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Lavina Sinha confirmed that the account was offering passes at half price and allegedly duping buyers. 'An Instagram account was offering passes to Ahmedabad's popular Garba events at half price and allegedly duping people by selling fake passes. So far, four to five people in Ahmedabad have fallen victim to the scam. Preliminary information suggests that the accused is currently operating from outside Gujarat,' DCP Sinha said.
Police are investigating the alleged misuse of the organiser's identity and the broader network behind the counterfeit pass operation. Kinjankumar Patel, manager of Ahmedabad Experience Exchange with 22 years at the company, filed the complaint seeking action against those responsible.
Cyber Safety Advisory and Reporting
DCP Sinha advised the public against purchasing event tickets from unknown individuals or unverified social media profiles, urging buyers to transact only through official websites and authorised booking links. People who suspect they have been targeted by similar online fraud can report it through the national cybercrime helpline, 1930.
This comes amid a broader uptick in event-ticketing scams during the festive season, when demand for Navratri Garba passes in cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara peaks sharply. With the investigation still ongoing, police are expected to expand their probe to identify additional victims and trace the accused's precise location.
Point of View
But the scale here — a single Instagram handle targeting 25 events and impersonating an established brand's logo and email — signals a more organised operation than a one-off opportunistic scam. The ₹3,100 price point is telling: low enough to seem like a bargain, high enough to net meaningful revenue across multiple victims. Ahmedabad's Cyber Crime Branch faces the familiar challenge of cross-state jurisdiction; with the accused reportedly outside Gujarat, coordination with central agencies will determine whether this ends in an arrest or a dead end. The festive-season timing is no coincidence — demand for premium Garba passes spikes annually, creating a predictable window for fraudsters that authorities have yet to close systematically.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ahmedabad Garba pass fraud case?
It is a cybercrime case in which an Instagram account under the handle 'veer.rajjputtt' allegedly sold fake passes for around 25 major Garba events in Ahmedabad at roughly half the official price. Ahmedabad's Cyber Crime Branch has booked the user after an event management company, Ahmedabad Experience Exchange, filed a complaint over misuse of its brand identity.
How many people have been defrauded so far?
Police have identified four to five victims in Ahmedabad so far. At least one customer paid ₹3,100 for a fake ticket to the 'Anant Brahmand' Garba event, whose official passes were priced between ₹4,000 and ₹10,000.
Who filed the complaint and what did it allege?
Kinjankumar Patel, manager of Ahmedabad Experience Exchange — organiser of events under the Anant brand — filed the complaint. It alleges the fraudulent account used the company's name, logo, and a fake email address resembling its official identity to sell counterfeit passes outside authorised booking channels.
How can people protect themselves from fake Garba ticket scams?
Cyber Crime DCP Lavina Sinha has advised buying passes only through official websites and authorised booking links, and to avoid purchasing from unverified social media profiles. Suspected online fraud can be reported on the national cybercrime helpline, 1930.
Where is the accused believed to be operating from?
Preliminary investigation suggests the accused is currently operating from outside Gujarat, according to DCP Sinha. Police are continuing their probe to determine the precise location and identity of the person behind the Instagram account.
