A recent report from Mobile Premier League (MPL), a popular gaming platform, has issued a serious warning to parents about the rising number of gaming scams targeting young players. According to MPL, cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting children’s innocence and trust on these platforms, making it essential for parents to be aware of the risks involved. These scams range from attempts to steal personal information and financial data to more harmful interactions where scammers manipulate children into sharing sensitive information or downloading malware disguised as game add-ons.
The report explains that children are often unaware of the potential consequences of their online interactions. Many scammers gain children’s trust by pretending to be friends or by offering in-game rewards. Once trust is built, scammers can lure children into clicking phishing links or even downloading files that contain malware. These interactions put children’s privacy and safety at significant risk. In some cases, children have unknowingly shared family financial details, which scammers can use to access bank accounts or make unauthorized purchases. Additionally, malware infections can compromise the security of the entire device, allowing cybercriminals further access to personal and family data.
Popular games such as Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Apex Legends are frequent targets for these types of scams. Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reported that in 2022, over 878,000 phishing pages were created to target these games specifically, with more than 823,000 focused on Roblox alone. Kaspersky also noted a 57% increase in attacks targeting children’s games last year, totaling more than seven million incidents. Scammers commonly set up fake sites that look like official gaming pages, where children are tricked into sharing personal information or downloading malicious software.
One worrying trend is the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in these scams. AI enables scammers to create convincing fake profiles with child-like voices, making it even harder for children to detect fake identities. Kimberly Sutherland, vice president of fraud strategy at LexisNexis, points out that AI-generated personas make it easier for fraudsters to exploit trust in a realistic way, which could cause even more damage.
Alex Ambrose, a policy analyst at the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, explains that children are particularly vulnerable to these scams because they often struggle to distinguish between real and imaginary interactions. This makes them more susceptible to scammers who manipulate trust by pretending to be friends or offering rewards. Sutherland notes that while scams aimed at both children and adults rely on similar psychological tactics, children are particularly vulnerable because they lack experience with these kinds of interactions.
MPL’s report advises parents to take proactive measures to protect their children from these scams. Enabling parental controls, restricting in-app purchases, and monitoring online activity are essential first steps. MPL also suggests educating children about safe online practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts and understanding the importance of not sharing personal information with strangers. Encouraging children to report suspicious behavior and fostering open communication can also help parents detect potential threats early.
Setting clear boundaries around screen time and limiting access to age-appropriate platforms are also crucial. Sutherland emphasizes the need for children to play on safe, age-appropriate platforms, as this can significantly reduce their risk of encountering harmful interactions. Ambrose adds that the gaming industry is taking some steps to address these issues by introducing features like spending limits for minors on loot boxes, as well as disclosing drop rates to increase transparency.
As online gaming scams continue to grow, parents’ involvement and proactive monitoring can make a critical difference in protecting children’s safety and privacy. With increased awareness, parental guidance, and support from the gaming industry, it’s possible to create a safer online environment for young players.
