With cyber frauds involving online gaming platforms on the rise, Yamunanagar Superintendent of Police Kamaldeep Goyal has issued a public advisory urging parents and citizens to remain vigilant against cyber criminals who are increasingly targeting children and teenagers through online games.

The SP said cyber fraudsters are adopting new methods every day to cheat unsuspecting users, taking advantage of the growing popularity of online gaming and digital platforms. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, as criminals often establish contact with them through fake gaming profiles before attempting financial fraud or identity theft.

According to the advisory, cyber criminals frequently create fake accounts on gaming platforms and befriend young players by offering expensive in-game items, reward points, diamonds, coins or exclusive promotional offers. Once trust is established, they attempt to obtain sensitive financial information such as bank account details, OTPs, UPI PINs and debit or credit card credentials. In several cases, fraudsters have also duped victims by demanding payments for game downloads or in-game purchases.

Kamaldeep Goyal appealed to parents to closely monitor their children’s online gaming activities and maintain a balanced screen time. He advised families to educate children about the dangers of interacting with unknown individuals online and to ensure that they never share personal or financial information with strangers.

The district police also recommended enabling parental controls, using strong passwords and activating additional security features on mobile devices and gaming platforms to reduce the risk of cyber attacks. Users have been advised not to save banking details or confidential financial information on gaming applications and to avoid accepting friend requests or offers from unknown users.

The SP emphasised that awareness and vigilance remain the strongest defence against cybercrime. He said victims of online gaming fraud or any other cyber-related financial crime should report the incident immediately, as prompt reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions and recovering lost money.

Citizens have been advised to immediately contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) in case of any cyber fraud and register complaints through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. They may also approach the nearest police station, Cyber Help Desk or Cyber Police Station for immediate assistance.

Kamaldeep Goyal reiterated that while the district police continue to take strict action against cyber criminals, public awareness and responsible digital behaviour are essential to effectively curb online fraud.

POD/DESK