Cricket player turns trickster: 25-Year-Old who tricked Rishabh Pant out of ₹1.6 crore

Mrinank Singh, a 25-year-old former U-19 cricketer for Haryana, took an unfortunate turn in life, transitioning from a promising cricket career to a conman driven by a desire for a luxurious lifestyle. His infatuation with opulence led him to pose as an IPL cricketer associated with the Mumbai Indians, a charade he exploited to deceive women and luxury brands. Mrinank went to great lengths, even adopting a backup identity, to escape the consequences of his deceptive actions.

The Conman’s Modus Operandi

Operating with audacity, Mrinank portrayed himself as an IPL cricketer for the Mumbai Indians between 2014 and 2018. This fabricated identity served as a tool to influence women, dine in upscale restaurants, and enjoy accommodations in five-star hotels without settling bills. His fraudulent escapades extended beyond impersonation, as he orchestrated a scheme involving India’s wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant, and swindled multiple luxury hotels and resorts.

A Lavish Stay and a Hefty Unsettled Bill

In 2022, Mrinank checked into the prestigious Taj Palace Hotel in Delhi, where he spent a week living extravagantly. However, when it came time to settle the bill amounting to ₹5.53 lakh, he resorted to deception. Claiming affiliation with Adidas, he assured the hotel staff that the sports brand would cover the expenses. To reinforce his ruse, he presented a falsified transaction ID worth ₹200,000. Unbeknownst to the hotel, this transaction was a fabrication, leading to subsequent attempts to contact Mrinank for payment. Instead, he evaded responsibility, switched off his phone, and went off the grid, prompting the police to intervene.

A Cat-and-Mouse Game with Law Enforcement

Aware of the police pursuit, Mrinank strategically kept his phone switched off to evade detection. Creating a facade, he convinced acquaintances that he had established residence in Dubai. The authorities, undeterred, issued a lookout notice, leading to his eventual detention at the Delhi airport on December 25, almost a year after the hotel incident.

The Unveiling of a Backup Identity

Mrinank’s audacity knew no bounds, as he attempted to dupe immigration officials using a backup identity. Posing as Alok Kumar, Additional Director General of Karnataka Police, he called upon senior police officials to aid in his escape. His claim involved seeking assistance for his fictitious son, Mrinank Singh, allegedly illegally detained at the Delhi airport. This elaborate ruse, however, failed to sway the authorities, resulting in his arrest.

Deception Unraveled: A Father’s Alleged Legacy

In an attempt to mislead the police further, Mrinank asserted that his father, Ashok Kumar Singh, played for the Indian Cricket Team in the late ’80s and currently managed Air India at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Despite his efforts to create a fabricated family history, the truth prevailed, and he faced the consequences of his deceitful actions.

Victimizing a Cricket Star and Others

Among Mrinank’s victims was Rishabh Pant, a prominent figure in Indian cricket. Investigations revealed that the conman defrauded Pant of ₹1.63 crore in 2020-2021. Beyond high-profile individuals, Mrinank targeted a range of victims, including cab drivers, young women, bars, and restaurants. His fraudulent activities extended to various states, resulting in multiple cases registered against him.

Digital Persona: Glamour Amidst Deceit

Mrinank maintained an online facade, showcasing his ill-gotten gains on Instagram, where he boasted of a seemingly luxurious lifestyle. His account, followed by over 40,000 users, featured images portraying opulence and success. However, behind the glamour, the police uncovered disturbing content on his phone, including objectionable photos with women and evidence of involvement in drug-related activities.

Educational Background and Family Estrangement

Delving into Mrinank’s background, it was revealed that he was a Commerce graduate from Delhi University’s Hindu College. He pursued an MBA in Human Resources from OPJS University in Rajasthan. Despite his academic achievements, his family disowned him, citing a lack of control over his actions. This estrangement from his family sheds light on potential factors contributing to his descent into a life of crime.

Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigation

As the law caught up with Mrinank, he found himself in police custody for a two-day interrogation. The investigation is ongoing, aiming to unravel the extent of his deceptive activities and bring justice to the victims. The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that follow a path of deceit and the importance of upholding integrity over the allure of a falsely glamorous lifestyle.

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