Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed he was recently targeted by a phone scammer posing as New Zealand cricketer Devon Conway. The Chennai Super Kings star shared the bizarre episode on his YouTube channel, describing how a suspicious request for Virat Kohli’s number tipped him off.
A Strange Message From “Conway”
It started with a casual WhatsApp message. Ashwin recognized the name — Devon Conway, his Chennai Super Kings teammate — and initially wondered if it could actually be him.
The conversation seemed normal at first, but things took a turn when “Conway” suddenly asked for Virat Kohli’s phone number.
That’s when Ashwin’s instincts kicked in. Something felt off.
Putting the Impostor to the Test
To confirm his doubts, Ashwin decided to play along. He shared a non-functional phone number for Kohli and threw in a little bait — claiming he’d once given Conway a cricket bat.
The reply came back instantly: “Good.”
That sealed it. In reality, Ashwin had never given Conway any bat. The scammer had just exposed themselves.
Quick Action With CSK’s Help
Ashwin wasted no time. He blocked the number and immediately reached out to Chennai Super Kings’ internal communication team.
The confirmation was swift — this was a fake account, with no link to the real Conway.
It’s a reminder that even public figures aren’t immune to online impersonation, and staying alert is essential.
Not the First Odd Cricket Scam
The cricket world has seen its share of unusual phone-related mix-ups. In one case from Chhattisgarh, a man who had just received a new SIM card discovered it was previously owned by Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Rajat Patidar.
Within days, he was fielding calls from Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers themselves.
Once Patidar learned about the situation, he contacted police, and the man returned the SIM without fuss.
Growing Concern Over Player Impersonation
These incidents highlight a growing issue — impersonators targeting cricketers, often fishing for private contacts or inside information.
For Ashwin, it was a near miss. For others, the damage could be bigger if sensitive details fall into the wrong hands.
With more athletes sharing their lives online, the line between fan engagement and scam vulnerability is thinner than ever.
