• Notification Date: 25-07-2023
• Notification No: N/A

Online Gaming Scam of Rs 58 crore in Nagpur - Use these Tips for Safety

As more and more people bought smartphones, the trend of online gaming in India picked up. Everyone with a smartphone and an internet connection could play thousands of games, and some of them even enabled people to win money in real life. The trend of online gaming is soaring and in India, 421 million online gamers were recorded last year. This means two things- Indians love online games and that the gaming market is huge with immense potential. However, online gaming has also given rise to various new types of scams and as more and more people hop on the gaming bandwagon, such cases increase. In a recent incident, a man from Nagpur was reportedly duped of around Rs 58 crore by a friend through an online gaming platform. 

According to a PTI report, a Nagpur-based businessman lost around Rs 58 crore when he tried to gamble online. After the victim filed a complaint, the police raided the suspect's home and Rs 17 crore in cash was recovered along with 14 kg of gold. The suspect, as per the report, is a bookie who created an online gaming platform that was used to dupe the victim. 

Incidents like these serve as a reminder that we must be careful while playing games online and be extra cautious while investing money in any game. Read on to know some tips that must be kept in mind if you play games online frequently. 

1. Never trust strangers 

When it comes to online gaming, you will likely meet many strangers in the virtual world who might tell you 'schemes' to win quick money. However, you must remember that there is nothing as 'quick money' and be wary of such people. Never trust strangers with your hard-earned money and avoid investing any amount just because somebody asked you to do so. 

2. Be careful with spending real money in games 

Various games have in-app purchases, and it is up to the player to decide if they want to make them or not. However, certain people might attempt to scam you on the pretext of getting some in-game exclusive items if you give them money in real life. Always make in-app purchases through the app and never make payment to any individual, no matter how promising the offer might sound. 

3. Be aware of the risks 

Online gambling such as Rummy and Poker carry potential risks and it isn't guaranteed that you will win for sure. Go through the games terms and conditions and be fully aware of what you are signing up for. 

4. Do not share your personal info 

It is best to use a made-up in-game name so that other strangers playing the name don't get to know your real name. Also, you must avoid sharing personal details with people online as you never know who is on the other side and how they might end up harming you in future. 

Meanwhile, a 28 per cent GST might soon be levied on online gaming. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, earlier this week, had announced that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) council has given its nod to impose a 28 per cent tax on online gaming, horse racing and casinos. The GST council decided the same during the 50th GST Council meeting. 

"There will be some amendment to the GST law to include online gaming in it. And simply put, online gaming, casinos and horse racing will be taxed. They will be taxed at 28 percent, and they will be taxed on their full-face value," Sitharaman said in a press conference after the meeting. 

When asked if the move will kill the online gaming industry, Sitharaman added, "There was a detailed discussion on this. Our agenda is not to kill an industry. All sorts of businesses have to be kept alive. Casinos in Goa and Sikkim yield a lot of revenue for the two small states is not so much our position, every state felt it."