Beware of Online Gaming App Free Fire, Social Media Platforms, Police Tell Girls, Parents
The app is helping criminals target children of wealthy families. The 'Rich Kids Trap' case busted recently revealed that two brothers belonging to Andhra Pradesh deceived several young girls through the Free Fire app. However, parents of the girls did not lodge a complaint about the betrayal of their daughters, fearing for family's honour
Police investigation into missing minor girls cases led to a startling revelation that cyber criminals are luring girls through an online gaming app called Free Fire.
Recently, three girls belonging to Hyderabad got attracted to strangers on the Free Fire gaming app and got ready to board a train to Kolkata. However, with police immediate action, the three girls could be saved.
Another girl from Telangana was taken by an unidentified. The girl returned home after a week. However, the inconsistencies in her reply could not help police in identifying the woman.
The online gaming app, Free Fire, is being used as a honey trap by cyber criminals to lure girls. Those playing on the online gaming app can speak to each other. Taking advantage of this feature, several cyber criminals are trying to get in touch with minor girls and encouraging them to leave their houses.
The app is helping criminals target children of wealthy families. The 'Rich Kids Trap' case busted recently revealed that two brothers belonging to Andhra Pradesh deceived several young girls through the Free Fire app. However, parents of the girls did not lodge a complaint about the betrayal of their daughters, fearing for family's honour.
Several youth are trying to lure girls from wealthy families through acquaintance, friendship and love on Free Fire gaming, Instagram and SnapChat apps. They target girls who are regular users of these apps, gain information of their financial status and their hobbies. After becoming friends, the criminals do everything necessary, to continue with their game plan. On gaining the trust of girls, they take their phone numbers and get much closer. Further, they tell the girls that they can spend more time and have fun together if they can leave their houses. Putting up fake photos and filling their social media profiles with interesting details, the criminals try to evoke liking, kindness and love towards them.
A 15-year-old girl from Secunderabad got acquainted to a boy on Instagram. Stating that he was in a big trouble, he asked the girl for money to help him bail out of the situation. Believing in him, the girl robbed Rs 1 lakh from the almirah in her house and gave the money to him.
Then the youth spent some time with her and taking photos of those moments, he blackmailed her. He asked her to get jewellery from her house. When the youth insisted that she spend some time with his friend too, the girl reported about the matter to her parents.
Police asked the parents to keep an eye on their children and be aware of the friends with whom they were spending their time. They advised children to share information about their online activities with their parents. In case of any suspicious messages and threats, police advised the parents and children to bring it to their notice. Police also suggested that children do not share their personal and family issues with those they get close online.
The cops suggested that parental controls and privacy settings in apps should be monitored by parents, along with any changes in the behavior of their children. Do not allow children to use phone in night time at any cost, police added.
