Cricket Players at Risk of "Honey Traps" from Match Fixing Syndicates

Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills warned that New Zealand cricketers are at risk of being targeted by sophisticated match fixing syndicates during the upcoming World Cup. Mills stated that he is convinced that match fixers will try to influence the outcome of the tournament, and that glamorous women luring stars and then blackmailing them have become one of the biggest risks. Players will be given a 90-minute presentation on match fixing risks, including honey traps, before the tournament begins.

Key Takeaways:

Match fixing became a crime in New Zealand last year with the passing of the Crimes (Match Fixing) Amendment Bill, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.
New Zealand cricketers are at risk of being targeted by sophisticated match fixing syndicates during the upcoming World Cup, with match fixers likely to try to influence the outcome of the tournament.
Glamorous women luring stars and then blackmailing them have become one of the biggest risks, with players sometimes being groomed for years before the trap is set.
The tactics used by match fixers include creating compromising images or exposing personal secrets to blackmailed players.
Players are often young and oblivious to fraudsters' tactics, making them particularly vulnerable to match fixing.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) will provide a briefing on match fixing risks before the tournament begins.

Statistics:

7: Maximum penalty in years for match fixing in New Zealand.
90: Minutes of presentation on match fixing risks that players will receive before the tournament begins.
14: February, the date of the first match of the World Cup, where New Zealand will play against Sri Lanka.
Many: Number of New Zealand cricketers who are semi-professionals and particularly vulnerable to match fixing.

Sources:

nzherald.co.nz
Cricket Players Association
New Zealand Totalisator Agency Board (TAB)
International Cricket Council (ICC)