Kanpur: Online gaming addiction is increasingly emerging as a serious cyber threat for children. Popular games like Free Fire are being misused by cyber fraud networks to trap school and teenage students, turning them into unintentional participants in digital crimes. Cyber cell investigations have revealed a disturbing pattern in which children, driven by the desire to improve gaming performance, increase points, or earn rewards, are being manipulated into completing tasks that are later used for online fraud.
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Gaming Rewards Used to Lure Students
In one case from the Jajmau area, a student who was an avid Free Fire player reportedly got involved with a cyber gang after his in-game points dropped. He was lured with promises of higher ranks and rewards and directed to platforms like Telegram, where he was assigned the task of sending APK files. Investigations revealed that the APK file was disguised as a wedding invitation. Once a person downloaded it, nearly ₹3,000 was allegedly withdrawn from their bank account.
Following technical analysis, cyber cell officials traced the link of the entire network back to the student. Authorities stated that the student had no knowledge that he was becoming part of an organized cyber fraud operation. A similar incident was also reported from the Barra area involving another minor gamer.
In this case, while playing the game, the student’s power level dropped, and he clicked on a link displayed on the screen. The link redirected him to a Telegram channel, where he was instructed to send APK files to eight different numbers. In an attempt to progress in the game, the minor followed the instructions. Soon after, ₹7,000 was withdrawn from a woman’s bank account.
Malicious Apps Turn Devices Into Fraud Tools
In another case from Dehli Sujanpur, a Class 9 student was allegedly lured with promises of level upgrades and in-game rewards. Cyber criminals asked him to download a specific application ID. Initially, his game level increased, which strengthened his trust in the process.
However, the same application later installed a keylogger on his device, allowing the attackers to track his mobile activity. Using barcode-based transactions and digital manipulation, around ₹80,000 was allegedly siphoned from his bank account. The student had no idea that his mobile device had effectively been converted into a cyber fraud tool.
Cyber experts say that in such cases, children are first offered small rewards or gaming benefits to gain their trust. Once trust is established, they are gradually pushed into sharing APK files, links, and performing digital tasks that are later used in larger fraud operations.
Officials estimate that around 16 to 17 similar cases have surfaced in the past six months, where school and intermediate students were unknowingly linked to cybercrime activities. Cyber cell teams are now actively monitoring mobile numbers, Telegram channels, and digital transaction patterns linked to these cases.
Parents Urged to Monitor Online Activity
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh stated that criminals are increasingly avoiding direct contact and instead exploiting children through digital platforms. According to him, “Students involved in online gaming become the easiest targets. They are initially lured with small rewards and then gradually drawn into cybercrime activities without realizing the consequences.”
Cyber cell officials also noted that in many cases, children become both victims and unwitting participants. Fraudsters initially build trust by offering small incentives and later use pressure tactics, including threats and manipulation, to force them into continuing the tasks.
