Kolkata: Kolkata Police is warning parents and children about cyber fraud linked to online gaming, including simple games like Ludo. Cybercriminals are targeting young gamers by asking them to share OTPs, click on fake links, download unsafe APK files, or make suspicious payments for gaming points, coins, or avatar upgrades.These tricks can lead to theft of money, credit card details, login credentials, and social media accounts. Police say children often use their parents’ phones or computers, so attackers may also get access to the parents’ banking and personal information. In a recent case, a victim lost more than Rs 2 lakh through a gaming app. Because the complaint was filed quickly, police were able to block the transfer and return the money.Police have advised gamers to never share OTPs ; avoid suspicious payments or money-based games; use fake or limited usernames instead of real names; not to share personal details online; not to download APK files from pop-ups or unknown links; use only trusted app stores and report cyber fraud to police immediately.Police say online gaming has grown sharply since the pandemic, giving criminals more chances to cheat users. Tracking offenders is difficult because many use anonymous chats, encrypted communication, and foreign servers. A few days ago, Kolkata Police Cyber Cell had also released a 50 second video that provides tips to parents to stop children from getting harassed, bullied or defrauded online.Among actions recommended in the video are ones that can be implemented when the child is surfing the internet. This includes monitoring a child’s online activities using parental monitoring tools, asking the child to access the internet in a relatively open space and ensuring that all private details are locked. But there is a deeper psychological aspect involved too where cops want parents to act as a friend to the minor rather than a guardian.BOX:Safety Tips:· BLOCK THE BULLIES: If another player is making you feel uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult. Remember that you can always kick a player out of the game if they are making you uncomfortable.· PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION: Personal information is any information that can be used to identify you or your accounts. Examples include your name, address, phone number, usernames and passwords, pictures, birthday and social security number. If a stranger asks you to share this information, say no.· PLAY IN DISGUISE: Don’t use your first or last name in your usernames. Use an avatar instead of your actual photo. If a stranger asks you to share a photo or to turn on your webcam, say no.· MAKE ALL YOUR PASSWORDS SECUREINSET:Kolkata: Repeated instances of citizens in this city getting duped while booking hotels in the pre-Durga puja season have led both the city and the state police to warn netizens to be careful this year before investing in unverified sites and sharing banking details on fake websites. Though the fraud number is much lesser than usual, the cops are not taking chances.The cops especially asked people not to trust the internet alone as website lookalikes exist by the dozen. “Since your hard-earned money is involved, always cross check the websites and wallets where you are transferring your money. Also ensure that you talk directly to the hotels that you book instead of only trusting the booking that you made online,” stated a cyber cell officer at Lalbazar.“Fake websites are all over the internet through which fraudsters extract money from us. They look similar to a genuine website, but once you check the URL minutely, you might not be the unlucky one. Hence, verify and invest,” said cops.Cops blame Jamtara-Dhanbad-Asansol based gangs – who have basic cultural knowledge about the local festivities – are carrying out such operations since the modus operandi seems “likely the same for all.”
