Police Case against Paki Cricketers Filed

[Mamu]

LONDON: A police file detailing evidence on claims that Pakistan cricketers accepted cash bribes to take part in spot-fixing during a match against England has been handed over to prosecutors. Scotland Yard said evidence that there was a conspiracy to defraud bookmakers will be considered by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Detectives interviewed four players under caution and arrested businessman Mazhar Majeed as part of the inquiry. Majeed is accused of accepting 150,000 pounds to fix the actions of several players during a Test at Lord's. "The Metropolitan Police Service has today delivered an initial file of evidence relating to conspiracy to defraud bookmakers to the Crown Prosecution Service," a police spokesman said. "The file will now be subject to CPS consideration. This is an initial file and the Met investigation continues." The controversy that has shaken cricket to its core erupted over claims of corruption after allegations surfaced in the News of the World newspaper. Majeed is accused of accepting cash to ask players to deliberately bowl no-balls during their tour of England. Captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer and Wahab Riaz have all been interviewed under caution. The players have been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) but deny any wrongdoing.

Whatever this means. What does "Defrauding Bookmakers" mean ? http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Police-case-against-Pakistani-cricketers-filed/articleshow/6573787.cms#ixzz0zncXrLOm

[Gunner_Mania]

Whatever this means. What does "Defrauding Bookmakers" mean ? http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Police-case-against-Pakistani-cricketers-filed/articleshow/6573787.cms#ixzz0zncXrLOm

Defrauding Bookmakers means, cheating bookmakers - Bookmakers ar betting companies or agents if you like. So a company like Ladbrokes, William Hill etc they would have had odds and then somebody who knows that an event is going to take place as it it is fixed goes and bets with them and win huge.

[DomainK]

Correct. Since betting is a legitimate business there, fixing would be considered a fraud. But I had heard that bets on no-balls are not allowed in the UK and thats why a case for "defrauding bookmakers" could not be built. They can still sue them though as any attempt at cheating unsuspecting public is a crime. What is the crown prosecution service? The state/public prosecutor/ district attorney's office?

[yoda]

Even if there were no official bets on these specific spot fixes, they do indirectly affect other betting events like match result, margin of victory, etc, although one could argue if a no ball can even materially affect result of a test.

[Gunner_Mania]

Crown Prosecution - I think is the equivalent of Public prosecutors

[DomainK]

Even if there were no official bets on these specific spot fixes' date=' they do indirectly affect other betting events like match result, margin of victory, etc, although one could argue if a no ball can even materially affect result of a test.[/quote'] Thats not something SY would be very interested in. Thats what ICC will investigate and punish. SY would be more interested in the criminal side of the whole episode.

[The Outsider]

Correct. Since betting is a legitimate business there, fixing would be considered a fraud. But I had heard that bets on no-balls are not allowed in the UK and thats why a case for "defrauding bookmakers" could not be built. They can still sue them though as any attempt at cheating unsuspecting public is a crime. What is the crown prosecution service? The state/public prosecutor/ district attorney's office?

But there are bets on the number of runs that are going to be scored in a particular over, and deliberate no balls would impact that directly. Don't know the technicalities, but does appear to be a genuine scenario.

[DomainK]

Even if they are saying that the crown prosecution service will decide whether they are guilty or not, the police usually does not take a case to court unless they are relatively sure of winning and the public prosecutor's office also hesitates to take a case if it's weak. Public prosecutors all over the world dont like low conviction rates.

[Mamu]

i got it ! -- so all those frauds against Legal Betting Houses. Nice !

[DomainK]

But there are bets on the number of runs that are going to be scored in a particular over' date=' and deliberate no balls would impact that directly. Don't know the technicalities, but does appear to be a genuine scenario.[/quote'] Yes, that sounds like a valid point.

[siddhu]

i got it ! -- so all those frauds against Legal Betting Houses. Nice !

Yeah... Kind of like stealing or rather cheating during poker in a casino which is also considered a criminal case. Doesn't matter if the casino is also doing the same

[EnterTheVoid]

Correct me if I am wrong but could this lead in a criminal conviction and a possible jail sentence ?

[Gunner_Mania]

^ If proved yes.

[Gunner_Mania]

Even if there were no official bets on these specific spot fixes' date=' they do indirectly affect other betting events like match result, margin of victory, etc, although one could argue if a no ball can even materially affect result of a test.[/quote'] It may not effect tests, but there are lots of inplay bets, to the extent of how many runs will be scored in a ball, how many runs scored in a over, will there be a wicket next ball etc.. Thos can be effected.

[DomainK]

Correct me if I am wrong but could this lead in a criminal conviction and a possible jail sentence ?

I think that depends on how serious the judge thinks it is. I doubt there will be any jail sentence though because they are international players and are the state's guest. Hence there will be diplomatic pressure, negotiations and unless the convicts are really dangerous to the state, they will be allowed to go back to their country with a monetary fine, a possible ban from ever entering the country again and a (possible) promise from the government of Pakistan for a trial and fair punishment in a Pakistani court of law.

[Rajiv]

No-balls might not be a legit bet but it is one aspect, I know law doesn't assume things but can a cricketer be honest enough to only cheat on no-balls

[Gunner_Mania]

I think that depends on how serious the judge thinks it is. I doubt there will be any jail sentence though because they are international players and are the state's guest. Hence there will be diplomatic pressure' date= negotiations and unless the convicts are really dangerous to the state, they will be allowed to go back to their country with a monetary fine, a possible ban from ever entering the country again and a (possible) promise from the government of Pakistan for a trial and fair punishment in a Pakistani court of law.

Technically, they are not the state's guest. And I think in the UK, a Queen's guest or somebody at Her Majesty's pleasure means somebody in jail:hysterical:

[DomainK]

Technically, they are not the state's guest. And I think in the UK, a Queen's guest or somebody at Her Majesty's pleasure means somebody in jail:hysterical:

lol....I hope then they become the state's guest.:D

[DomainK]

To clarify for everyone: It's not a court case yet. The police have finished their investigations and have handed over the reports and the evidence to the prosecutors who will now evaluate the evidence and decide whether to pursue a case or not (or how to handle this from here). Like I said before, public prosecutors all over the world hate low conviction rates and hence usually do not go to court unless they have good evidence or they are under serious media pressure.

[Guest Gunner]

Technically, they are not the state's guest. And I think in the UK, a Queen's guest or somebody at Her Majesty's pleasure means somebody in jail:hysterical:

That is exactly what it means and I was going to post that :hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: