Online gaming has become a danger zone for digital fraud, with hackers, phishers, and cyber-thieves leveling up their schemes.
In 2023 alone, 21 percent of online gamers had their accounts hacked, resulting in stolen personal data and unauthorized purchases. Scammers are also preying on young players; in 2022, hackers set up 878,000 phishing pages targeting kids’ games, with Roblox alone accounting for 823,000 of them.
“So, how do you not become their next victim?” asks Serge Eliseeff, the CEO of GameTop. “Here, we’ll run through some of the most common scams and show you the best ways to protect yourself.” Eliseeff has told Digital Journal about the major scams.
1. Phishing Scams: Fake Logins, Real Losses
Phishing scams are one of the most common ways scammers steal gaming accounts. Cybercriminals send emails and in-game messages, or create fake customer support interactions that look legitimate. They claim there’s an urgent issue—like your account being at risk of a ban or a problem with a recent purchase—and provide a link where you must log in to fix it.
“The site their link sends you to looks like the real deal, but it’s actually a trap designed to capture your credentials,” explains Eliseeff. “Once the scammers have your login details, they can lock you out of your own account, sell your rare in-game items, and use your stored payment information to make unauthorized purchases.”
2. The “Too Good To Be True” In-Game Purchase Scam
Scammers create fake online stores or social media pages advertising deep discounts on in-game items, exclusive skins, or virtual currency. Players excited to grab a deal make a payment, only to receive nothing in return. “Some of these fraudulent sites go a step further by collecting credit card details or login information, leading to financial fraud and identity theft as well as taking your money,” says Eliseeff.
These fake sellers rely on creating a sense of urgency, making victims believe the deal is limited-time or exclusive. Once they have enough victims, they shut down the site and create another to reduce their chances of getting caught.
3. Malware-Laced Mods And Cheats
Gamers looking to enhance their experience with mods or gain an unfair advantage with cheats often find themselves unintentionally downloading malware. Hackers disguise viruses, spyware, or keyloggers as game-enhancing tools, and once installed, these malicious programs steal personal data, track keystrokes, or even take control of entire systems.
Some of the most dangerous malware-filled mods allow scammers to access webcams, install ransomware, or use a player’s computer for illegal activities without their knowledge. Even experienced gamers can fall victim, as these downloads often look like genuine community-created content.
4. The Virtual Currency Trap
Many online games use virtual currency as a way to purchase skins, weapons, or other upgrades. Scammers take advantage of this by setting up websites that claim to sell in-game currency at steep discounts. When players pay for these “discounted” credits, instead of getting what they paid for, they either receive nothing or get counterfeit currency that leads to their account being banned.
Some scam sites also require players to enter their game login details, which allows scammers to steal their accounts outright. “Since game developers strictly regulate in-game economies, using third-party sites for currency purchases often results in losing money and access to the game, so we’d recommend only buying through official channels,” says Eliseeff.
5. Account Takeovers: Losing Everything In A Click
A compromised gaming account is a goldmine for scammers. “Once scammers gain access, either through phishing attacks or weak passwords, they can drain accounts of valuable in-game assets, sell rare skins or characters, and use stored payment information to make fraudulent transactions,” says Eliseeff. “Some cyber criminals instead sell these stolen accounts on the black market, where high-level or rare-item accounts can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.”
6. Fake Giveaways: The Bait-And-Switch Trap
Scammers will run fake giveaways that promise free in-game items, virtual currency, or even real-world prizes like gaming consoles. Users enter by clicking a link or filling out a form, which is the scammers’ way of getting you to share personal details. Some require participants to log in using their game account, which is then hijacked. Others use fake contests to spread malware.
7. The Loot Box Gamble
Loot boxes are a controversial feature in many games, allowing players to spend real money for a chance to receive rare in-game items. While not always outright scams, they exploit players’ excitement and can lead to significant financial losses—especially among younger gamers who may not fully understand the mechanics and lack the same level of impulse control developed by adults.
“Some games design their loot boxes to encourage reckless spending, using psychological tricks similar to those employed in gambling,” says Eliseeff. “Players may end up spending far more than intended in the hopes of obtaining a rare skin or item, only to be left with regrets – and they sometimes end up disappointed by low-quality rewards.”
8. Subscription Traps: The Never-Ending Charge
While not a scam per se, some gaming platforms offer free trials that automatically convert into expensive monthly subscriptions. These subscriptions are often difficult to cancel, with confusing fine print or hidden fees.
“Younger gamers may sign up for what they believe is a free service, only for their parents to discover recurring charges on their credit card statements,” notes Eliseeff. In some cases, these services charge exorbitant fees for minimal in-game benefits. “Scammers may also create fake subscription services that do nothing but collect credit card information for future fraud,” Serge adds.
9. Social Engineering And Grooming
Online games often include chat features where players can interact with others. Unfortunately, some scammers and predators use these chat functions to manipulate younger gamers into revealing personal information or even sending them money.
“These scammers often pretend to be friendly, offering in-game gifts, help, or companionship,” observes Eliseeff. “But they’ll start gradually asking for favors, passwords, or financial assistance.”
In extreme cases, predators use social engineering to groom children for more serious exploitation. Parents should be aware of exactly who their children interact with in online games and make sure they never share personal details with strangers.
10. The “Boosting” And Cheat Services Scam
Players looking to climb the ranks quickly may be tempted by services that promise to boost their in-game stats or rankings for a fee. However, many of these services are outright scams, where the player pays but receives nothing in return.
“Even when the boosting service does work, it often requires sharing login credentials, which means handing over full access to your account, which is always risky,” Eliseeff comments. “Some boosting services also use cheats or hacks that violate the game’s terms of service, which risks your account being permanently banned.”
