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Indian Punter League: The True Story of the Fake IPL
About the Book
THE RIVETING STORY OF A FAKE IPL SCAM THAT SPANNED THE GLOBE—FROM MOSCOW TO MEHSANA AND BACK.
Young and ambitious Faizal Ahmed has one goal in life—he wants to get rich, and he wants to get rich fast. When an outrageous idea strikes him one day, in a gambling den in Moscow, Faizal knows it could be his ticket to big money. The catch? He has to partner with a mobster and convince Russian gamblers to place high-stakes bets on cricket, a sport they neither watch nor understand. But a challenge is only a veiled opportunity, right?
Cheerfully unscrupulous and entirely self-assured, Faizal prepares to set up the scam of his life. Hawala money, clandestine meetings, discreet text channels, rookie players, camera crews and live streams beaming across the world—this is a con job that spans the globe, from Moscow to Mehsana and back. Based on a true incident, Indian Punter League unravels the story of an audacious con where a group of small-time conmen managed to dupe seasoned Russian gamblers by staging a fake IPL. A story so wildly improbable, it seems impossible for it to be true. Only, it is.
About the Author
Abhishek Bhatt is a seasoned media professional based in New York, with an expansive career in film, television, news media and web series across the United States, Singapore and Mumbai. This is his second novel.
THE RIVETING STORY OF A FAKE IPL SCAM THAT SPANNED THE GLOBE—FROM MOSCOW TO MEHSANA AND BACK.
Young and ambitious Faizal Ahmed has one goal in life—he wants to get rich, and he wants to get rich fast. When an outrageous idea strikes him one day, in a gambling den in Moscow, Faizal knows it could be his ticket to big money. The catch? He has to partner with a mobster and convince Russian gamblers to place high-stakes bets on cricket, a sport they neither watch nor understand. But a challenge is only a veiled opportunity, right?
Cheerfully unscrupulous and entirely self-assured, Faizal prepares to set up the scam of his life. Hawala money, clandestine meetings, discreet text channels, rookie players, camera crews and live streams beaming across the world—this is a con job that spans the globe, from Moscow to Mehsana and back. Based on a true incident, Indian Punter League unravels the story of an audacious con where a group of small-time conmen managed to dupe seasoned Russian gamblers by staging a fake IPL. A story so wildly improbable, it seems impossible for it to be true. Only, it is.
About the Author
Abhishek Bhatt is a seasoned media professional based in New York, with an expansive career in film, television, news media and web series across the United States, Singapore and Mumbai. This is his second novel.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2023
3 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 2, 2024
Based on a true incident
The true story of the fake IPL. Soon to be a major web series.
It seems impossible to be true but it is true.
This story, fiction, is penned in around 236 pages in a fast paced engaging narrative, using easily understandable language enriched with a good vocabulary, worth highlighting.
There is use of cuss words, foul language, vernacular (Hindi) language & also Russian language.
The story, about a scam, a con, cooked by a few small time crooks in Mehsana, duping gamblers in Russia was enthralling to read & digest but it conveys much more than that.
The backstory of Faizal made me emotional & the way he struggled his way to survive in poverty, after losing his parents one by one was a typical rags to riches story.
The love story angle (triangle) was something "typical" in such a set up, something a bit filmy, Bollywood style.
Disco aka Mithun was an interesting character, other than Faizal.
The story is divided into 3 sections;
Forming the team
Planning the con
The final act.
For me, the first part was the most interesting one. In this, we got to know about Faizal's character, his manipulative nature, his eye as a hawk, his actions motivated by money, his intelligence & his cunning mind.
It sometimes amazes me to acknowledge & accept, how far a human mind can think & go.
It was one interesting & unique story & the book can be finished in one sitting. The end left my heart broken although I cannot think of an alternate ending.
A good read. Recommend.
___
Young and ambitious Faizal Ahmed has one goal in life--he wants to get rich, and he wants to get rich fast. When an outrageous idea strikes him one day, in a gambling den in Moscow, Faizal knows it could be his ticket to big money. The catch? He has to partner with a mobster and convince Russian gamblers to place high-stakes bets on cricket, a sport they neither watch nor understand. But a challenge is only a veiled opportunity, right?
The true story of the fake IPL. Soon to be a major web series.
It seems impossible to be true but it is true.
This story, fiction, is penned in around 236 pages in a fast paced engaging narrative, using easily understandable language enriched with a good vocabulary, worth highlighting.
There is use of cuss words, foul language, vernacular (Hindi) language & also Russian language.
The story, about a scam, a con, cooked by a few small time crooks in Mehsana, duping gamblers in Russia was enthralling to read & digest but it conveys much more than that.
The backstory of Faizal made me emotional & the way he struggled his way to survive in poverty, after losing his parents one by one was a typical rags to riches story.
The love story angle (triangle) was something "typical" in such a set up, something a bit filmy, Bollywood style.
Disco aka Mithun was an interesting character, other than Faizal.
The story is divided into 3 sections;
Forming the team
Planning the con
The final act.
For me, the first part was the most interesting one. In this, we got to know about Faizal's character, his manipulative nature, his eye as a hawk, his actions motivated by money, his intelligence & his cunning mind.
It sometimes amazes me to acknowledge & accept, how far a human mind can think & go.
It was one interesting & unique story & the book can be finished in one sitting. The end left my heart broken although I cannot think of an alternate ending.
A good read. Recommend.
___
Young and ambitious Faizal Ahmed has one goal in life--he wants to get rich, and he wants to get rich fast. When an outrageous idea strikes him one day, in a gambling den in Moscow, Faizal knows it could be his ticket to big money. The catch? He has to partner with a mobster and convince Russian gamblers to place high-stakes bets on cricket, a sport they neither watch nor understand. But a challenge is only a veiled opportunity, right?
January 23, 2024
Books that come with a fascinating name, so the readers can’t possibly get out of that mention until they surely go by it. The Story of Fake IPL revolves around this young ambition-driven protagonist, Faizal Ahmed. Somewhat based on true events, the story begins in a gambling den in Moscow where Faizal crafts his perceptive and precarious plan to achieve a gigantic sum. Tricky as the deal was, a challenge comes up his face where he has to convince Russian gamblers to bet large on a cricket game, a game the Russians refuse to even recognize. Faizal walks up to this challenge of partnering with a dangerous mob, risking it all for his impending fortune.
The story seems tangled enough until the moment you actually get to read it. The good part about it? It does not just keep revolving around the characters but the climax is associated with the whole plot of the story. There are not many books like this one out in the market. I find the notion entertaining enough, how several lines of plot are connected under the same story. Picking this read will definitely not be a waste of time!
The story seems tangled enough until the moment you actually get to read it. The good part about it? It does not just keep revolving around the characters but the climax is associated with the whole plot of the story. There are not many books like this one out in the market. I find the notion entertaining enough, how several lines of plot are connected under the same story. Picking this read will definitely not be a waste of time!
December 26, 2023
"Indian Punter League" captivates readers with its audacious tale of ambition, risk, and global deception. The narrative skillfully weaves together the worlds of cricket, gambling, and international scams, creating a thrilling ride from Moscow to Mehsana. Faizal Ahmed's cheerful unscrupulousness and self-assurance make him a compelling protagonist, driving the plot forward with each twist and turn. The story's improbable nature adds an element of disbelief that keeps readers hooked, reminding us that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction. The author successfully transforms a true incident into a gripping tale that explores the thin line between challenge and opportunity in the world of high-stakes cons. "Indian Punter League" is a rollercoaster of suspense, showcasing the lengths one man will go to achieve his goal of getting rich fast.
January 31, 2024
This book is an exciting and adventurous tale of Faizal Ahmed that is a good blend of real-life stories with fiction. Faizal is a young ambitious guy who wants to achieve the limits and become wealthy is determined to do anything to achieve his goal as soon as possible by hook or by crook.
His hunger to become rich leads him to a Moscow gambling den where he partners with a mob that makes him do & participate in some not-so-good deeds.
The story is powerful and knowing that it is based on a real-life event makes it more intriguing. The characters and plot are strong and gripping. The writing style of the author is detailed and gives the reader the real image of scenarios.
Overall this book is a worthy and interesting read for all.
His hunger to become rich leads him to a Moscow gambling den where he partners with a mob that makes him do & participate in some not-so-good deeds.
The story is powerful and knowing that it is based on a real-life event makes it more intriguing. The characters and plot are strong and gripping. The writing style of the author is detailed and gives the reader the real image of scenarios.
Overall this book is a worthy and interesting read for all.
December 23, 2023
"Indian Punter League" by Abhishek Bhatt is about the ambitious protagonist Faizal Ahmed wanting to get rich fast for which he plans an elaborate and potentially dangerous scam.
Honestly, after reading the blurb, I was like this sounds like those Bollywood movies where the protagonist hustles to earn big by scamming the rich. And well, it kind of is and I'm sure the crime-heist-scam genre lovers would love it. This book throws light on the betting scene that happens in the most loved sport of the country- Cricket.
It's a page turner, I wasn't able to stop reading. I think everyone would enjoy reading this.
Honestly, after reading the blurb, I was like this sounds like those Bollywood movies where the protagonist hustles to earn big by scamming the rich. And well, it kind of is and I'm sure the crime-heist-scam genre lovers would love it. This book throws light on the betting scene that happens in the most loved sport of the country- Cricket.
It's a page turner, I wasn't able to stop reading. I think everyone would enjoy reading this.
January 9, 2024
INDIAN PUNTER LEAGUE - THE TRUE STORY OF THE FAKE IPL by ABHISHEK BHATT
Writer @abhishek_author
Bookstore @amazonbooksin @amazon @amazonkindle
Faizal Ahmed is a young, aspirational man who wants to get wealthy as soon as possible. One day, in a Moscow gambling den, Faizal has an absurd notion that he thinks could be his ticket to financial success. The drawback? In order to persuade Russian gamblers to place large wagers on cricket, a sport they neither watch nor understand, he must team up with a mafia. However, a challenge is merely a covert chance, correct?
Optimistically dishonest and completely confident, Faizal gets rea
Writer @abhishek_author
Bookstore @amazonbooksin @amazon @amazonkindle
Faizal Ahmed is a young, aspirational man who wants to get wealthy as soon as possible. One day, in a Moscow gambling den, Faizal has an absurd notion that he thinks could be his ticket to financial success. The drawback? In order to persuade Russian gamblers to place large wagers on cricket, a sport they neither watch nor understand, he must team up with a mafia. However, a challenge is merely a covert chance, correct?
Optimistically dishonest and completely confident, Faizal gets rea
January 29, 2024
This book is absolutely amazing! It's like nothing I've ever read before. Faizal, the main character, is such a relatable and ambitious guy. You can't help but root for him from the very beginning. The author does a fantastic job of building up the suspense and keeping you guessing. I mean, convincing Russian gamblers to bet on cricket? That's a challenge and a half! But Faizal's determination and the daring choices he makes contribute to a thoroughly captivating storyline. I couldn't put it down! If you're into stories that mix ambition, adventure, and a bit of risk, this book is definitely worth checking out. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!
January 31, 2024
"The Indian Punter League," inspired by real events, introduces a world with intricate characters, from a charming conman leader to unsuspecting Russian gamblers. The story is well-crafted, each chapter leaves you in suspense. The writing is concise, vividly depicting scenes that immerse you in the action. The narrative, though implausible, is strangely real.
The author skillfully weaves an exciting narrative, exploring the high-stakes worlds of cricket and gambling. He also creates a suspenseful and thought-provoking narrative, making this novel a must-read for those seeking stories that delve into human desires and the unpredictable outcomes of chasing aspirations.
January 13, 2024
"Indian Punter League" is a brilliantly crafted narrative by Faizal Ahmed, weaving a tale that transcends the ordinary and impacts lives profoundly. Ahmed's portrayal of a man with grand aspirations and limited resources adds depth to the story, culminating in a mind-boggling con that defies imagination. The plot, filled with twists and turns, captivates readers, while Ahmed's engaging writing style ensures a marvelous reading experience. The well-developed characters and meticulous detailing contribute to an immersive journey, making "Indian Punter League" a standout literary accomplishment.
January 30, 2024
"Indian Punter League" is the second gripping book written by seasoned media expert Abhishek Bhatt, who is located in New York. He uses his vast experience in cinema, television, news, and online series from the US, Singapore, and Mumbai to construct this engrossing tale.
The captivating story of Faizal Ahmed's bold attempt to get wealthy quickly through a ridiculous scheme conceived in a Moscow gambling den is told in "Indian Punter League" by Abhishek Bhatt.
The captivating story of Faizal Ahmed's bold attempt to get wealthy quickly through a ridiculous scheme conceived in a Moscow gambling den is told in "Indian Punter League" by Abhishek Bhatt.
April 18, 2025
You can laugh as much as you like at the theme of the plot but... It's really useful for those who want to know a little more about the inner workings of cricket. It is even better to look at statistics from primary sources - https://1xbetlogin.in/ Everything that concerns India cannot be considered as a branch of one of the European leagues. Everything is a little different there.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews