Bengaluru: A man claiming to be the chief marketing officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cheated a private firm of Rs 9.6 lakh under the pretence of selling Indian Premier League (IPL) tickets. According to a complaint filed by Subodh (name changed), marketing manager at a real estate company located in Ulsoor, the accused — Santosh Natikar — collected money between April 11 and May 1. Natikar visited the real estate office a year ago, introduced himself as BCCI’s chief marketing officer, and asked the company to sponsor international matches. He quoted a minimum amount of around Rs 2.5 crore for the sponsorship, but the company was uninterested.However, Natikar continued his efforts. He told the company that if not matches, they could sponsor ads on live-streaming platforms. When company remained uninterested, Natikar made efforts for the ongoing IPL season. The firm wanted to take its employees to an IPL match of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as a recreational activity. As Natikar was in constant contact with them, the complainant asked for his help in acquiring more than 100 tickets for a match in April. Natikar agreed to give 99 tickets for P1 Annex stands and eight tickets for basic stands, for the match between RCB and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 3. He informed them that each P1 ticket would cost Rs 6,500, and each basic ticket, Rs 2,500. Natikar asked the complainant to make an online payment and provided a bank account number. Subodh transferred Rs 6.4 lakh to the account — belonging to a woman based in Shivamogga — from the company’s account.An additional Rs 20,000 was transferred via digital payment app.Subsequently, Natikar told the complainant that the ticket prices had increased. He asked for more money and said the package would now include dinner with drinks. The complainant paid Rs 3 lakh in cash to Natikar, bringing the total amount to Rs 9.6 lakh. However, when the complainant tried to reach Natikar to get the tickets, his phone was switched off. As he remained incommunicado, a complaint was lodged with Commercial Street police on May 17.A senior officer said a case has been registered under BNS Section 318 (cheating). Based on preliminary investigation, the police have ruled out Natikar being part of BCCI. “We’re making efforts to nab him,” a cop said.