NZ cricket stars at risk from “honey traps” warns association

As the World Cup approaches in New Zealand, the Cricket Players Association (CPA) and Racing Board have warned that the country’s cricket stars are at risk from sophisticated “honey traps” laid by match-fixing syndicates.

CPA chief executive Heath Mills told the Herald on Sunday that he believed that match-fixers would try to influence the outcome, using glamorous women to lure stars and then blackmail them.

"I have no doubt that match-fixing groups will be looking at New Zealand and that they have had people on the ground in New Zealand previously," said Mills.

He said all players were being given a 90-minute presentation on match-fixing risks, including honey traps, followed by an ICC briefing before the tournament begins on Feb. 14 with the Black Caps playing Sri Lanka.

Mills said that honey traps were one of many tactics used by such groups and that players might be groomed for years beforehand. "They might notice the person has got family troubles, they might notice they've got financial issues or mental health issues [which they can threaten to expose]”, he said.

Match fixing became a crime last year with the passing of the Crimes (Match Fixing) Amendment Bill. This gives police more power to investigate the offense, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.

 

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