Hyderabad Police have issued an advisory to parents warning of a growing number of complaints linked to children making unauthorised purchases in online multiplayer games using family members’ bank accounts, cards and UPI services.

According to the advisory issued by Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar, many complaints initially reported to the cyber crimes cell as cases of online fraud are later found to involve children purchasing in-game items through saved cards or UPI accounts on family devices, with no evidence of hacking or external cybercriminal involvement.

Police said a significant number of such cases are traced to grandparents’ mobile phones, which are more likely to have saved payment details, logged-in UPI applications or active net banking services, while also being subject to less supervision.

The advisory highlights growing concerns over the popularity of online battle royale games among boys aged between 10 and 17 years. Police said conversations and leisure time among many children in this age group increasingly revolve around games such as Free Fire MAX, where social status among peers is often linked to paid features including skins, Elite Pass subscriptions and rare virtual items obtained through in-game purchases.

Hyderabad Police also drew attention to the potential psychological impact of excessive gaming, citing the World Health Organisation’s recognition of Gaming Disorder as a medical condition.

Precautionary measures

Parents have been advised to remove saved cards and UPI autofill options from devices accessible to children, including those used by grandparents, and to enable PIN or biometric authentication for all purchases. Police also recommended activating parental controls, requiring approval for app purchases and enabling transaction alerts.

Where digital access is necessary, families have been encouraged to provide children with a separate prepaid payment instrument carrying a limited balance rather than access to primary bank accounts. Parents have also been advised to enforce screen-time limits, discuss gaming habits with their children and, where practical, switch off Wi-Fi or internet access during late-night hours.

Emphasising that the advisory is not intended to discourage gaming altogether, Hyderabad Police said the concern is with unmonitored access that can lead to financial losses and, in some cases, expose children to risks such as online grooming or abuse. The department said it remains available to conduct awareness and outreach sessions for schools, parents and community groups upon request.