Fake investment schemes, sextortion paid in Bitcoin or gift cards, in-game rug-pulls and Robux trading scams that bridge to crypto wallets. How to spot them and use Action Fraud.
Teenagers are an increasingly attractive target for online financial crime. Common patterns include 'guaranteed return' crypto investment groups, sextortion demands paid in Bitcoin or Amazon / Steam gift cards, fake influencer airdrops, and in-game scams (Robux trading, Fortnite skin scams, rare-item swaps) that bridge to external crypto wallets. Many teens do not tell parents because they feel embarrassed or worry about losing their device or game account. Action Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime; calm, early reporting protects both the young person and others being targeted.
A scammer makes contact in a Discord server, Telegram group, gaming voice chat, or social-media DM, often posing as a peer, gamer, or influencer. They offer an investment 'opportunity', a discounted skin, a free airdrop, or threaten to share an image unless paid. Payment is requested in cryptocurrency or gift cards because they are difficult to reverse. Some scams ask the young person to install a wallet or to share a recovery phrase — which immediately drains any future funds.
1. Teach the 'no legitimate person asks for gift cards' rule
Banks, HMRC, police, and real friends do not ask for payment in Amazon, Steam, iTunes, or Google Play vouchers. Make this an explicit family rule. The same applies to anyone asking for a crypto recovery phrase.
2. Lock down in-game trading and external links
On Roblox, restrict trading and chat. In Fortnite and similar games, talk about how 'free V-Bucks' or 'skin generator' sites are universally scams. Never click external links from in-game chats.
3. Make it safe to admit a mistake
Shame is the scammer's best friend. Tell your child explicitly that if they ever lose money, send an image, or share a wallet phrase, they will not be in trouble — you will help them report it and move on.
ตรวจสอบล่าสุด: 2026-05-22
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