A family learned a harsh lesson about online fraud when a teenager chasing a free promo code for a popular online game fell prey to a scam. The incident escalated when the scammer persuaded the young person to share images of a bank card and then to provide the codes that were sent via SMS. The outcome was devastating: a substantial sum of money disappeared from the mother’s bank accounts, and a portion of it was borrowed as loans. This event was reported through the Telegram channel of regional policing authorities in Saratov, Russia, highlighting how quickly personal data can be misused in the digital age.
In Engels, residents faced another alarming case when a family reported that about 650,000 rubles had been withdrawn from their accounts. Of that amount, a large portion had been charged to a credit card. The description notes that the family member and the teen were drawn into a scheme that relied on social engineering, encouraging the child to disclose card details and security codes under the pretense of obtaining a game perk or promotional code.
According to the account of the family, the day before the theft, the 12 or 13 year old began communicating with an unknown contact who offered a seemingly harmless opportunity to get a free game benefit. The offender gained the youngster’s trust, coaxed the sharing of a bank card photo, and instructed the youngster to reveal SMS verification codes. After securing the necessary information, the scammer terminated the contact, leaving the family to discover that 650,000 rubles had been quietly removed from the accounts, including 436,000 rubles that were loans. This sequence underscores how quickly a momentary lapse in vigilance can translate into a financial crisis for a family.
Earlier reports from the Ural region described a separate tactic where scammers frightened a child and removed valuables from a home. The pattern across these incidents shows a troubling trend in which young people are targeted through online platforms, and the attackers exploit fear and urgency to extract sensitive information or access to funds. The authorities emphasize that children and teens should be educated about the prudent handling of digital offers and the dangers of sharing financial details with strangers online. Parents are urged to monitor online activity, discuss scams openly with their children, and remain vigilant about any requests for personal or financial information that arrive through messaging apps or game chats.
Experts note that the core vulnerability in these cases is social engineering—the artful manipulation of trust to obtain money or data. Common red flags include requests for bank card images, requests for verification codes, or pressure to act quickly to secure a promised reward. Responsible guidance suggests never sharing card images, never forwarding verification codes, and always verifying the legitimacy of offers through official channels before taking any action. In cases where a scam is suspected, immediate steps include contacting the bank to freeze or monitor accounts, reporting the incident to local law enforcement, and keeping a detailed record of communications with the offender. By acting swiftly, families can limit potential losses and begin the recovery process where possible. Stakeholders recommend reinforcing digital literacy from a young age, teaching children how to identify suspicious messages, and encouraging a transparent dialogue about online risks within the household. These practices create a safer online environment for children and reduce the likelihood of future financial harm.—Attribution: regional police communications and consumer protection guidelines.