Game Over? Scammers Use Fake Gaming Apps to Cheat Your Wallet

Gaming app promising big wins and profits? We'd say pause and learn of the ongoing trickery deployed by scammers.

Earn quick cash while you also get to entertain yourself? It sounds tempting, and cybercriminals know precisely how to lure their next victim. Even though the real-money gaming industry in India has been in the spotlight after the government’s nod to the Online Gaming Bill 2025, scammers continue to set their financial traps using fake apps. 

Initial wins and flashy numbers on your screen can be quite convincing, and once you’re hooked, your savings become an easy target. 

We break down the easy money-making scam via fake gaming apps or other online platforms to help you stay vigilant and safeguard your savings.

Modus Operandi

• Enticing Pitch: You come across an ad or online posts that promise quick earnings by playing games through an app. Or, you are added to a WhatsApp group with fake testimonials from people claiming to have won large sums in a short amount of time using the said platform.

• Small Wins: You download the app and create an account. Once you’ve logged in, you are encouraged to make a small deposit and start playing. Initially, the scammers allow you to earn a small profit on your investment, which is likely to be transferred to your bank account. This also builds a victim’s trust in the legitimacy of the platform.

• More Money, More Profit: Scammers then coax you to invest more money for higher returns and might add a bonus or special deal. They may also offer referral points for getting more individuals to join the app.

• Loss and Block: When you transfer a higher amount, it is siphoned by the scammers, who then proceed to block you and vanish. In a reported case, the victim was assured that losing money at the beginning is normal and that they will win back more money if they invest more. The victim followed their advice and soon lost another large sum.

Red Flags

• Platforms promising fast and guaranteed returns on your investment. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• Suspicious platform that fails to list its developers and lacks social media presence, contact details, or an official website.

• Collect Evidence: If you have transferred money to a suspicious app, take screenshots of the transactions, chats (if any), and the platform, which can help authorities with their investigation.

• Notify: Alert your bank immediately to help reverse any fund transfers and secure your account. 

• Delete App: Remove the fake app, as it could be malicious, and update your passwords for your email, bank, and other accounts you use.

• Report: Report the incident as soon as possible through a government portal, such as Chakshu (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc/), or the national cybercrime helpline at 1930. You can also lodge a complaint with the local police station.

• Share: Inform your circles and communities about the scam and ask them to be cautious of any such offers. 

The Quint's Scamguard initiative aims to keep up with emerging digital scams to help you stay informed and vigilant. If you've been scammed or successfully thwarted one, then tell us your story. Contact us via WhatsApp at [phone] or email us at [e-mail]. You can also fill out the Google form and help us take your story forward.

(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)