Kids, not hackers, behind many cyber-crime cases

HEMA SINGULURI | Hyderabad 

A growing number of cybercrime complaints in Hyderabad, initially reported as cases of phone hacking or online fraud, are turning out to be incidents involving children making unauthorized digital transactions while playing online games on their parents’ mobile phones. Investigations by the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have revealed that many of these suspected cyberattacks originate within households rather than from external hackers.

According to officials, several complaints of alleged phone hacking were traced to in-game purchases or UPI transactions made by minors using unlocked smartphones. These transactions, often linked to popular multiplayer games such as Free Fire and Free Fire MAX, have resulted in financial losses for families and unnecessary panic over perceived cyber intrusions.

Police said children between the ages of 10 and 17 are increasingly exposed to online gaming environments where virtual rewards, including skins, passes and upgrades, create peer pressure. Many youngsters gain access to phones without parental controls or biometric security, while grandparents’ devices are also frequently used as they often lack strict security settings.

Sai Krishna, Principal Cyber Security Senior Tech Consultant with the Telangana Cybercrime Department, said the issue is more about manipulation than technical hacking. He explained that fraudsters operating within gaming platforms often build trust with children by promising free coins, exclusive skins, higher game levels or themed rewards. Once trust is established, children may unknowingly share OTPs or verification codes, enabling fraudsters to access accounts, change credentials and misuse linked services.

He also warned that using Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers and the same password across multiple accounts increases the risk of identity theft if one account is compromised. Apart from financial fraud, officials expressed concern over online grooming on gaming platforms such as Roblox and Minecraft, where offenders emotionally manipulate children to obtain money or sensitive information.

The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have advised parents to enable biometric authentication for UPI apps, activate parental controls and regularly monitor children's digital activities. Officials stressed that digital awareness campaigns should be tailored for children and urged families to strengthen online supervision, as many suspected cyber fraud cases begin not with hackers but within the household itself.