The cases of minors spending their parents' money on online gaming are causing worry among parents and authorities.
A new incident involving a 16-year-old boy from Hyderabad highlights the problem of gaming addiction and its financial impact on families.
The Expensive Gaming Obsession
According to the report provided by the cybercrime wing of Hyderabad police, a startling incident unfolded in which a 16-year-old boy residing in Hyderabad depleted his mother's bank account to sustain his online gaming addiction.
The sequence of events commenced when the boy innocently downloaded the Free Fire game on his grandfather's phone, oblivious to the potential financial implications that lay ahead.
While the game itself is free, he succumbed to the allure of purchasing in-game items to enhance his gaming experience.
Initially, he started with small amounts, but soon his expenditures escalated dramatically, ranging from Rs 1.45 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
The absence of awareness and parental supervision contributed to the situation spiraling out of control, leading to severe financial ramifications for the boy's mother.
The boy's mother was completely unaware that her son's uncontrolled spending had resulted in a shocking Rs 36 lakh being taken from her bank accounts.
When she went to the State Bank of India (SBI) to withdraw money, she was shocked to discover that her accounts had been emptied.
To her dismay, she later discovered that her son had not only emptied her SBI account but had also gained unauthorized access to her HDFC bank account, resulting in an additional loss of Rs 9 lakh, as reported by the cybercrime division of the Hyderabad Police.
This devastating revelation left her heartbroken, as the lost funds included her hard-earned money and financial benefits she had received after her husband's passing.
The concerning trend of minors depleting their parents' bank accounts for online gaming highlights the need for action from parents, authorities, and society.
By tackling these issues, we can work towards a safer and healthier gaming environment for young individuals.