Odisha Youth Missing After Losing Nearly Rs 24K To Online Games

The addiction of online gaming which often leads to serious consequences like suicide continue unabated among youths and children in Odisha. 

Recently, a 19-year-old youth from Hatadiha village of Keonjhar district lost nearly Rs 24,000 from his father’s bank account in online gaming and fled from home to escape the scolding from his family. 

The youth, Khageswar Nayak, had reportedly linked the bank account of his father, a farmer, to a money transferring app while playing Free Fire and Aqua Ludo games and lost Rs 23,775. 

While he is still untraceable, his family members were seen carrying out a frantic search for him. His cousin sister was also seen sensitising people about the evils  of online gaming.

“He lost all the money from the bank account while playing online games three days ago and fled from house out of fear. I appeal people to inform us immediately if anyone spots him anywhere,” said Trupti Rekha, the cousin sister of the youth.

Meanwhile, after failing to trace him the worried parents of the youth lodged a complaint with Dhamnagar police station. 

According to sources, some villagers had warned Khageswar against online gaming and chances of losing money. However, he ignored the warnings and continued playing the games and lost Rs 23,775 between November 2 and December 1. 

The matter came to light after his father Padmanav got his bank passbook updated recently. It was also learnt that the Khageswar had borrowed money from his friends, sister and brother-in-law to fund his gaming addiction. 

“He played ludo and gradually spent all the money in small amounts. He fled from home when I asked him about the money. He is missing for the past three days,” said an anxious Padmanav.