Ashwin Exposes Fake Zampa Scam

Ashwin’s Hilarious Takedown of a WhatsApp Impersonator

In a world where digital scams are increasingly common, even international cricket stars aren’t immune. Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently found himself on the receiving end of a clever impersonation attempt—but instead of falling for it, he turned the tables in the most entertaining way possible.

The incident, which has since gone viral, involved a scammer posing as Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa on WhatsApp. The imposter’s goal? To get the personal contact details of several key Indian cricketers.

The Fake Adam Zampa Message

On October 19, 2025, Ashwin shared a screen recording on his social media that captured the entire exchange . The fake account, bearing Zampa’s name and a similar profile picture, messaged Ashwin with a seemingly casual request: contact numbers for rising stars like Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, and wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, along with established names like Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson .

Instead of ignoring the message or reporting it outright, Ashwin decided to have a little fun. He played along, engaging the scammer with a series of witty and sarcastic replies that quickly exposed the ruse.

“Do You Have MS Dhoni’s?”

The most iconic moment of the conversation came when Ashwin, feigning cooperation, asked the imposter a simple yet loaded question: “Do you have MS Dhoni’s?” . The question was a masterstroke of trolling. It was both a playful jab at the scammer’s obvious lack of real connections and a nod to the legendary former Indian captain, whose private number is one of the most guarded secrets in Indian cricket.

This wasn’t the first time Ashwin had encountered such a scam. He revealed that he was previously tricked by someone impersonating New Zealand’s Devon Conway, which likely made him more vigilant this time around .

How to Spot a Fake Cricket Star on Social Media

Ashwin’s experience is a stark reminder for fans and players alike to stay vigilant. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

Unsolicited Contact Requests: Genuine players rarely, if ever, reach out to colleagues for contact details via unofficial channels like personal WhatsApp.
Vague or Generic Messages: Scammers often use broad, non-specific language to seem plausible.
New or Unverified Accounts: Always check if the account has a verified badge or a history of authentic posts.
Requests for Sensitive Information: Any request for personal data should be treated as highly suspicious.

Ashwin’s Quick Thinking Saves the Day

By screen-recording the conversation and sharing it publicly, Ashwin not only protected his teammates but also educated his millions of followers on the importance of digital security . His caption, “Fake Adam Zampa tries to strike,” was a perfect blend of cricketing pun and public service announcement .

This incident highlights a growing trend where scammers exploit the global fame of athletes to gain access to their inner circles. Ashwin’s clever and humorous response has been widely praised as a textbook example of how to handle such situations.

Table of Key Players Targeted in the Scam

Player Name	Role	Team
Abhishek Sharma	All-rounder	India / Sunrisers Hyderabad
Jasprit Bumrah	Bowler	India / Mumbai Indians
Sanju Samson	Wicketkeeper-Batter	India / Rajasthan Royals
Jitesh Sharma	Wicketkeeper-Batter	India / Punjab Kings
Rinku Singh	Batter	India / Kolkata Knight Riders