Hyderabad Police Issues Parental Advisory on Online Gaming Risks: VC Sajjanar Warns of Cyber Fraud

Hyderabad: Senior police officer VC Sajjanar, former Hyderabad Police Commissioner, shared an important parental advisory on his X (formerly Twitter) account, warning families about increasing cyber fraud complaints linked to children making unauthorized in-game purchases through online multiplayer games. According to the advisory, investigations by the Cyber Crime Police Station have revealed that many cases involve no hacking or outsider involvement, but instead result from children using saved cards, autofilled UPI details, or banking credentials on family devices, leading to financial losses.

The advisory highlights growing concerns about online gaming addiction, unauthorized digital transactions, and the need for stronger parental monitoring to protect children and family finances.

Cyber Crime Complaints Linked to Unauthorized In-Game Purchases

According to the advisory, Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have noticed an increasing number of cyber fraud complaints that initially appear to involve hacking.

However, investigations found that many such cases involved:

• Children making unauthorized in-game purchases.
• Use of saved debit or credit cards.
• Use of autofilled UPI details.
• Transactions carried out through family devices.

The advisory notes that a significant share of such incidents originate from a grandparent’s phone, which is more likely to have:

• Saved payment credentials.
• Active UPI applications.
• Open net banking access.

The advisory further states that such devices are often less closely monitored.

Free Fire MAX and Pressure to Buy Virtual Items

The advisory specifically mentions that among children, especially boys aged 10 to 17, daily conversations and leisure time increasingly revolve around popular battle royale games such as Free Fire MAX.

According to the advisory:

• Peer status among players has become linked to expensive virtual skins.
• Children seek Elite Pass tiers.
• Rare items from paid draws create pressure to spend money.

The advisory states that this social pressure can encourage children to make unauthorized purchases.

Devices Meant for Online Classes Being Used for Late-Night Gaming

The advisory notes that devices originally provided for online classes are frequently being repurposed for unsupervised gaming sessions, including late-night gameplay.

According to Hyderabad Police, this trend is particularly visible in households where:

• Parents work long hours.
• Parents have limited digital familiarity.
• Devices are left completely unrestricted.

The advisory stresses that such circumstances increase the risk of excessive gaming and financial misuse.

WHO Recognizes Gaming Disorder as a Disease

The advisory points out that the World Health Organization recognizes Gaming Disorder as a disease characterized by impaired control over gaming that continues despite negative consequences.

According to the advisory, Gaming Disorder is associatively linked to:

• Aggression.
• Academic decline.
• Severe sleep loss.
• Eye strain.
• Reduced social interaction.

Hyderabad Police Advises Parents to Take Preventive Measures

To protect children and family finances, the advisory urges parents to act proactively and implement several safeguards.

The recommendations include:

• Remove all saved cards and UPI autofill details from devices accessible to children.
• Remove saved credentials from grandparents’ phones as well.
• Require PIN or biometric verification for every transaction.
• Enable parental controls.
• Activate purchase approvals in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
• Keep transaction alerts active on mobile devices.

The advisory further recommends that if a payment option is absolutely necessary, parents should provide a separate low-balance prepaid instrument rather than granting access to primary bank accounts.

Screen-Time Limits and Monitoring Recommended

The Hyderabad Police advisory also recommends:

• Setting and enforcing consistent screen-time limits.
• Maintaining open conversations about gaming habits.
• Switching off the home Wi-Fi router after a fixed time at night when no essential services are active.

Parents are advised to watch for warning signs such as:

• Falling grades.
• Disturbed sleep.
• Irritability.
• Secretive behavior.
• Loss of interest in other activities.

The advisory states that parents should consult a school counselor or psychologist if such signs continue.

Hyderabad Police Clarifies Advisory Is Not Against Gaming

The advisory clarifies that it is not a verdict against gaming.

Instead, Hyderabad Police described it as a sincere appeal for monitored access to prevent:

• Financial losses.
• Vulnerability to online grooming.
• Online abuse.

The advisory also states that Hyderabad City Police remains available for support and can conduct awareness and outreach sessions for schools and communities upon request.

The parental advisory shared by VC Sajjanar warns of increasing cyber fraud complaints involving children aged 10 to 17 making unauthorized in-game purchases through multiplayer games such as Free Fire MAX using saved cards, UPI details, and banking credentials on family devices. Hyderabad Police has urged parents to strengthen monitoring, remove saved payment information, enable parental controls, enforce screen-time limits, and watch for signs of Gaming Disorder. The advisory emphasizes that the objective is not to oppose gaming but to prevent financial losses, online grooming risks, and abuse while ensuring children’s digital safety.

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