Puisa Kotha Hunibo? Where there’s attention and money, scams follow

Lately, one thing has been coming up again and again, online gaming scams. It’s coming up in our workshops, with people sharing and talking about it. We’re seeing it across other social media platforms, in posts and forwards. This isn’t rare anymore, it’s becoming common and closer to home.
Online gaming has become hugely popular, especially among young people. From casual mobile games to competitive multiplayer platforms, millions spend time and money in these virtual worlds. But where there’s attention and money, scams follow. These scams are no different, they are tricks used by fraudsters to steal your money, personal information, or gaming accounts.
One common scam is the “free rewards” trap. You might see offers promising free coins, skins, or upgrades if you click a link or log in through a third party website. These links are usually fake and designed to capture your login details. Once scammers get access, they can take over your account or even misuse your payment methods.
Another popular method is fake tournaments or giveaways. Scammers create pages or messages claiming you’ve won something or inviting you to participate in a paid contest. After you transfer the entry fee, they disappear
There are also in game scams where someone offers to trade items or help you level up faster, only to cheat you once you trust them. Some even pose as customer support to trick players into sharing sensitive information.
So how do we stay safe? A basic safeguard is to secure your device • Be cautious with links. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is • Avoid logging into your gaming account on unknown websites. Use official apps or platforms • Enable two factor authentication wherever possible • Never share your passwords or OTPs, no matter how convincing someone sounds • Be careful with payments. Avoid sending money directly to individuals unless it’s through a trusted platform • Keep your devices secure and updated
But even with all of this, scams still work. Why? Because more than your device, it’s your response that’s being targeted. Scammers don’t hack systems first, they hack people.
Secure yourself. What’s common across all these cases? It’s an emotion: urgency, fear, trust, or greed. • They rush you so you don’t think • They scare you so you don’t question • They promise you something so you stop verifying
A little awareness can go a long way in protecting your money and your accounts. Don’t forget to think before you click your next link.
Paweü Kayina
founder@moneybar.in