Ajmer | December 24, 2025 | A serious case of cyber fraud through online gaming has surfaced in Rajasthan’s Ajmer, where an innocent online friendship formed by children proved costly for an entire family. Fraudsters used the popular mobile game Free Fire to establish contact, hacked a bank accountant’s mobile phone, and siphoned off ₹10.85 lakh from her bank account. Following the incident, the victim’s family lodged a complaint at the cyber police station, prompting an official investigation.
According to police, the case pertains to the Ajay Nagar area of Ajmer. The victim is employed as an accountant with a nationalised bank. She has two sons, aged 8 and 14, who used to play Free Fire on their mother’s mobile phone.
Online friendship formed during gaming
Investigations revealed that while playing Free Fire, the elder child began chatting with an unknown person on the gaming platform. Gradually, the interaction moved beyond the game and extended to the social media platform Instagram. Posing as a friend, the accused gained the children’s trust and remained in constant contact with them.
Cyber police officials said the fraudsters followed a well-planned and methodical approach—first befriending the children through gaming, then gradually coaxing them into sharing technical and personal details.
Sharing email and passwords proved costly
During online conversations, the accused shared his own email ID and password and persuaded the children to do the same. Unaware of the consequences, the children ended up sharing their mother’s email credentials, mobile phone password, and other login details. This provided the fraudsters direct access to the woman’s phone and banking applications.
Police said that once remote access to the phone was established, the accused altered background settings, ensuring that OTPs and bank alerts did not reach the victim, allowing transactions to go unnoticed.
Mobile phone began operating on its own
On Sunday, when the family needed money and the woman attempted an online transaction, they found that the phone’s entire data and contact list had been deleted. To test the account, a small transfer of Re 1 was initiated, but no SMS or OTP was received.
Shortly thereafter, the phone switched off and restarted automatically. Within about an hour, an alert message confirmed that ₹10.85 lakh had been withdrawn from the bank account, leaving the family shocked.
Account frozen after visiting bank
The following day, the family immediately visited the bank branch and got the account temporarily frozen. Bank records showed that only ₹2 lakh remained in the account, with the rest transferred through multiple transactions to other accounts.
Subsequently, a formal complaint was filed at the cyber police station.
Cyber police conducting technical probe
In this case, Ajmer Cyber Police has registered an FIR against unknown persons. Cyber police station Circle Officer Shamsher Khan said a technical investigation is underway. Authorities are analysing bank transaction trails, IP addresses, mobile access logs, and other digital evidence to trace the perpetrators.
“This case highlights serious lapses related to children’s mobile phone usage and online gaming. Parents must remain vigilant about device access and password security,” he said.
Warning amid rising cybercrime
Cybersecurity experts note that online gaming platforms are increasingly becoming a new hunting ground for fraudsters. Gaining access to a family’s digital and financial information through children has emerged as a growing tactic.
Police have urged citizens not to share emails, passwords, OTPs, or banking details with anyone and to strictly enforce security settings on children’s mobile phones.
The Ajmer incident once again serves as a stark reminder that a small lapse in the digital world can result in a major financial loss.
