Hyderabad Police Warn Parents As Children Use Family Accounts For In-Game Purchases

The Hyderabad Police have issued an advisory warning parents about a rise in complaints involving children making unauthorized in-game purchases using family bank accounts, cards, and UPI services. Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar released the warning after the cyber crimes cell investigated several cases initially reported as online fraud, only to discover that children had used saved payment details on family devices.

According to the police, many of these unauthorized transactions were traced back to grandparents' mobile phones. These devices are more likely to have saved payment details, logged-in UPI applications, or active net banking services, while typically receiving less supervision from family members. The police found no evidence of hacking or external cybercriminal involvement in these specific cases.

The advisory highlighted growing concerns over the popularity of online battle royale games, such as Free Fire MAX, among boys aged between 10 and 17 years. Police noted that social status among peers in this age group is increasingly linked to paid features, including skins, Elite Pass subscriptions, and rare virtual items obtained through in-game purchases.

In addition to financial losses, the Hyderabad Police drew attention to the potential psychological impact of excessive gaming. The department cited the World Health Organisation’s recognition of Gaming Disorder as a medical condition. The advisory clarified that its goal is not to discourage gaming entirely, but to address unmonitored access that leads to financial loss and potential risks like online grooming or abuse.

To prevent these unauthorized transactions, the police advised parents to remove saved cards and UPI autofill options from all devices accessible to children, including those belonging to grandparents. They recommended enabling PIN or biometric authentication for all purchases, activating parental controls, and requiring approval for app downloads.

For situations where digital access is necessary, the police suggested providing children with a separate prepaid payment instrument carrying a limited balance instead of access to primary bank accounts. Parents were also urged to enforce screen-time limits, discuss gaming habits with their children, and switch off Wi-Fi or internet access during late-night hours. The Hyderabad Police department stated it remains available to conduct awareness and outreach sessions for schools, parents, and community groups upon request.