Online gaming scams in India are becoming more common. Recently, a Cyprus-based gaming platform stole money from players by converting it into cryptocurrency and moving it out of the country. Now, a Chinese app has committed an even bigger theft, exposing the vulnerability of online gamers in the region.
Online Gaming Scam: Chinese App Stole nearly Rs 1,400 crore
The Gujarat Police has apparently uncovered a major online gaming scam that was being run by a Chinese national. This scammer managed to dupe 1,200 people and apparently ran away with nearly Rs 1,400 crore. The massive sum of money was stolen in just nine days using a fraudulent app that posed as a legitimate online gaming platform. The app was called ‘Dani Data,’ which attracted users to spend money on the game with promises of high returns.
However once the user deposited money into their gaming accounts, the app became non-functional after nine days. This meant that players who invested money in the game could no longer access their own money. A senior police official told TOI that the app was posing as a football betting platform and managed to scam people of ages ranging from 15 to 75 years. Once it seemed like the app had run away with their money, the victims filed complaints with the Gujarat Police. The authorities formed a special investigation team to look into this matter.
The team managed to track down people related to the app that scammed thousands and found that it was run by a Chinese national, Woo Uyanbe. He also set up shell companies to channel the stolen money overseas through hawala networks (a method that is often used for illegal money laundering). The Gujarat Police filed an FIR against Uyanbe under the Information Technology Act, but the Chinese national had fled the country to China before being arrested.
This report arrives mere days after the Cyprus-based online gaming service, Parimatch fuelled Rs 700 crore from Indians through 400 shell companies. The Indian government is cracking down on these illegal gaming platforms and is tightening regulations, but online gamers must also be vigilant against such shady apps.
