Online Gaming Scams Targeting Australian Children — Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite

Online gaming platforms — particularly Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and popular mobile games — have become a significant vector for scams targeting Australian children and teenagers. These scams are specifically designed to exploit the desire for in-game currency, rare items, status, and social connection within gaming communities. The losses extend beyond money — account takeovers can also expose personal information and create distress for children that takes time to resolve.

The Free Robux and V-Bucks Scam

This is the most common gaming scam targeting children. Children are approached in-game, through Discord servers, on YouTube comments, or via social media with offers of free in-game currency — Robux in Roblox, V-Bucks in Fortnite, gems in mobile games — in exchange for logging in to an external website. The website harvests their account credentials and sometimes their personal details. No legitimate source ever gives away free in-game currency in exchange for your login details. Robux and V-Bucks can only be purchased through the official platform or earned through legitimate in-game methods.

The Account Trading and Scam

Older teenagers are targeted with offers to trade or sell high-value game accounts — accounts with rare skins, high competitive rankings, or valuable items. The "seller" provides account credentials and receives payment. Shortly after, they use the account's linked email or the platform's account recovery process to take the account back, and the buyer has lost both the payment and the account. This scam is particularly effective because the desire for prestigious accounts is genuine and the initial exchange appears legitimate.

Predatory Contact Through Gaming

Gaming platforms — particularly those with voice chat and direct messaging — are used by adults to make contact with children. These contacts often begin with genuine friendship and in-game help before becoming inappropriate. Signs of concerning contact include requests to move the conversation to a different platform, requests for photos, and excessive gift-giving of in-game items.

What Parents Can Do

Talk to your children about gaming scams specifically — explain that anyone offering free currency, items, or account upgrades is almost always a scammer. Establish the rule that account credentials are never shared with anyone, including gaming friends. Enable two-factor authentication on all gaming accounts. Review privacy settings on all platforms to limit who can message your child. And maintain an open conversation about what is happening in their gaming world so problems can be identified early. Familiarise yourself with the platforms your children use — you do not need to become an expert, but knowing the basics helps you have meaningful conversations.

What to Do If Your Child Has Been Scammed

If your child has given their account credentials to a scammer, act immediately: change the account password from a trusted device, revoke access from any third-party apps linked to the account, and contact the platform's support to report the compromise. If real money was spent on gift cards or in-platform purchases at the scammer's direction, contact your bank — some purchases can be disputed if reported promptly. The most important response is to avoid making your child feel ashamed or foolish — these scams are professionally designed to exploit children's enthusiasm for gaming. Treat it as a learning experience and use it to reinforce the rule that account credentials are never shared with anyone.

Platform-Specific Security Settings

Roblox has parent controls accessible through account settings, including the ability to restrict chat, limit who can follow or message your child, and disable in-app purchases without a PIN. Fortnite offers two-factor authentication and parental controls through the Epic Games account. Minecraft servers vary — the official Minecraft launcher supports Microsoft account MFA. For any gaming platform, enabling two-factor authentication on the underlying account (Microsoft, Google, Epic, Nintendo, Sony) provides protection even if a child accidentally shares their login to the game itself. IntrusionX can help families configure security settings across all gaming platforms — contact us for a home security consultation.