Nikhil S. Mahtani, a 28-year-old New York City resident, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for wire fraud in a brazen sports ticket scam that left Wisconsin residents reeling.
Between January 4, 2019, and December 11, 2022, Mahtani placed over one thousand ads on Craigslist offering high-end tickets and luxury box suites to National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and other professional sporting events around the country. The scam targeted numerous individuals throughout the Eastern District of Wisconsin, with Mahtani accepting thousands of dollars in payments for tickets and suites he knew were not legitimate.
One particularly egregious incident occurred when a large group of friends and family members showed up at Fiserv Forum the night the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA Championship in 2021, only to be turned away and told they had been scammed. Mahtani is estimated to have received approximately $120,000 from over 100 victims in Wisconsin and across the United States.
At the sentencing hearing, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of the crime and the need to deter the defendant and others from engaging in this type of fraud. The judge rejected Mahtani’s request for probation, stating that this was not a “crime of impulse,” but rather a “systematic victimization” of sports fans who had their hearts set on attending a variety of professional sporting events, including Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Bucks games.
Mahtani will spend 15 months in prison and was ordered to pay $88,000 in restitution to his victims. He will also spend three years on supervised release. The case was investigated by the New York Police Department Financial Crimes Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble prosecuted the case.
The sentencing is a reminder that sports fans must be vigilant when purchasing tickets from third-party sellers. The public is urged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.
For further information, contact Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales at Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov or (414) 297-1700. Follow us on Twitter for the latest updates on this and other crime stories.
Related Federal Cases
- 19 Arrested in International Romance Scam · Mississippi
- Western Union Scam · Washington
- New Jersey Man Charged in Bait-and-Switch Coin Scam · Pennsylvania
- Bucks Fans Bankrolled NYC Ticket Scam: Mahtani Gets 15 Months · Wisconsin
- James Battles Trump Admin on Trans Health Ed. · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News