Player unintentionally links his father’s account to a scam site

The father of Advaith Nair (name changed), 15, recently lost Rs 6 lakh from his savings account due to his son’s addiction to online games.

Advaith was playing a popular game regularly and had reached a certain level and was eligible for cash rewards of Rs 50 and Rs 80. An enthusiastic Advaith shared his father’s account details so that the money could be credited to its account.

Advaith got the first reward of Rs 80, but after that every month Rs 50,000 to Rs 80,000 was deducted from his father’s savings account. It went on for six months before the father noticed the scam. He changed the SIM card and linked the bank account to a new SIM card. This is just one example of how young people fall victim to online fraud.

Bengaluru Police Cybercell Sub-Inspector Sheela R Gowda says many young people are blackmailed after sharing private photos on dating apps. They fall into depression and lose significant amounts of money.

“When we investigated the case of Advath’s father, we found out that he had lost Rs 6 lakh in six months. The frauds had linked the two accounts and automated the money transfer. He had to disconnect the SIM card for the transfers to stop, ”explains Sheela.

Young girls and boys should be wary of meeting face-to-face with strangers unless they have parental approval, she says.

I found comfort

Most young people say gaming and social media sites have been constant companions during the pandemic.

Consulting criminologist Dr TP Vipin says many young people spend more than 10 hours on the Internet, posting, tweeting and sharing content online.

“The massive use of social media late at night accelerates the emotional hubbub among young people. In addition to seeking knowledge, young people crave attention and seek 24/7 updates from their social circles. Social media addiction covers underlying issues such as anxiety and depression, ”he explains.

Parents may want to consider installing parental control apps on their children’s electronic devices, he suggests.

“It’s legal. It helps parents monitor their children’s online activities and take necessary precautions, ”he says.