Online Gaming Scam Cost Third-Grader a Loss of ₹90,000 in Kanpur
“Online gaming has been scamming people out of money for so long. Now, one more case came recently.”
In a concerning instance that underscores the increasing dangers of internet gaming for kids, an 11-year-old third-grader in Kanpur’s Panki neighborhood lost ₹90,000 ($1,100) while engaging in an online game. Two local cybercafé operators have been charged by the child’s parents with intimidation and fraud.
How Did It All Happen?
Mahesh Rajput, who resides in a leased house in Ratanpur with his wife Reena and their son, has a gaming habit, according to the child’s family. Reena, a beauty salon employee, said that on January 1st, she pulled ₹100 out of a home piggy bank, only to discover that a significant amount was gone.
The child acknowledged that he had played at two cybercafés and lost ₹90,000 overall after being lured in by prizes in an online game. The café owners allegedly threatened the youngster and his parents and refused to give the money back when the family went to them.
Abduction Associated with Addiction to Video Games
A Maharashtra student who was addicted to PUBG games was allegedly kidnapped and taken to Kanpur in a related incident. One suspect was taken into custody by police at Kanpur Central Station, and the student was securely brought back to his home.
According to investigators, the child was studying for board exams while living in a private dormitory. A stranger took the child’s cell phone on false pretenses and took him to Kanpur as part of the kidnapping.
Professional Evaluation
Former IPS officer and cybercrime specialist Triveni Singh issued a warning about the wider dangers of youngsters playing video games online:
“Addiction to gaming puts young children at risk for both monetary loss and emotional distress. This weakness is used by scammers to demand money and, in certain situations, threaten families.
Parents need to keep an eye on their kids’ internet usage, and reporting suspicious activity to the authorities right away is crucial. The first lines of protection against these cybercrimes are awareness and attentiveness.”
Wider Consequences
Authorities stress the need for tighter oversight of cybercafé operations and more cyber awareness, particularly among children. Such incidents highlight the ease with which young players can be coerced into suffering monetary losses or even putting themselves in danger.
Next Actions
The operators of the cybercafé are the subject of an inquiry by Kanpur police. Authorities warned that any attempts to take advantage of children online will be confronted with unyielding enforcement and pledged tough measures against the offenders.
About The Author
Suraj Koli is a content specialist in technical writing about cybersecurity & information security. He has written many amazing articles related to cybersecurity concepts, with the latest trends in cyber awareness and ethical hacking. Find out more about “Him.”
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