New Yorker sentenced to prison for sports ticket scam targeting Wisconsin residents

Tickets for a show/event in a hand on a black background.

(WFRV) – A New York man has been sentenced to prison for defrauding Wisconsin residents in a sports ticket scam.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced that Nikhil Mahtani, 28, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for wire fraud. Mahtani was accused of offering premium tickets and luxury boxes to sporting events across the country..

According to court documents, between 2019 and 2022, Mahtani placed more than 1,000 ads on Craigslist offering high-end tickets and luxury boxes. These so-called “tickets” included the NFL, NBA and other professional sporting events across the country.

Officials say Mahtani victimized multiple people throughout Wisconsin. He allegedly received thousands of dollars in payments for tickets and suites that he knew weren't real.

The release states that in one case, a large group showed up to Fiserv Forum for a 2021 NBA Finals game and was told they had been scammed.

Mahtani allegedly received approximately $120,000 from more than 100 victims in Wisconsin and the United States. He will spend 15 months in prison and will be ordered to pay $88,000 in restitution to the victims.

Additionally, he will spend three years on supervised release.

The case was reportedly investigated by the New York Police Department's Financial Crimes Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.

No additional information was provided.