Online Gaming Scams
Author: Aurelijus Panasiukas
This article was updated by Jamie James on June 12. 2026, based on the latest reports submitted by real users to ScamAdviser, using the reporting function.
The gaming industry has seen a massive boom in the past decade and video games are no longer just a children’s pastime. The gaming industry is raking in billions every year, with players spending considerably on games like Roblox, Fortnite, Call of Duty and FIFA .
Gamers not only spend money on buying the game itself but most games these days have various in-game items that can be purchased using microtransactions. Players want to get FIFA coins, Fortnite Skins, that new gun for Call of Duty and Robux to be ahead. Likewise, you may be looking for exploits and cheats to win games. That is what scammers also know and they will do anything to trick you.
One in three gamers have experienced fraud while playing online games. Gaming scams can range from making unfair exchanges to stealing somebody's game account or money.
Gaming scams appeared in 2,638 reports that were submitted by users to ScamAdviser. Categorized gambling and fake gaming platform reports showed high financial loss rates, which makes this a useful warning topic for younger and gaming-focused audiences.
How to Recognize Online Gaming Scams
While scammers try to convince you otherwise, there are no free rides:
- You cannot get stuff for free: You cannot buy V-Bucks or Robux anywhere online safely apart from within the game. The same applies to other games. Why would the developer of the game allow it? They make money every time you buy skins, items and coins inside the game. Why would they allow another company to eat into their profits?
- Trading items outside the game is not safe: If you exchange items in the game, the game developer can check the transaction and make sure the trade is done fairly. Outside the game, the game master has no control and no information on who traded what with whom. If there is any issue, the game’s support team cannot help you.
- There are no free accounts: If the game charges money to play the game, any access passes or "free entrance accounts" are fake.
All generators, cheat tools and "Get free coins" sites are scams! The videos you see on YouTube and the screenshots you can find online are fake. People claiming to be the administrator of a game never ask for your account name and password as they already know it!
Why Do Criminals Scam You?
Scammers want to:
- Access to your account: To either sell it to somebody else or sell the coins and items you have earned.
- Access to payment details: They will try to get your credit card, bank or Paypal details stored in the game so they can order online using your money.
- Install malware: If you have to download a tool, you can be sure it contains software that can copy your login names and passwords or block your device till you pay a ransom.
How to Get and Exchange Items Safely?
Simple, stay in the game. Yes, you have to pay real money and the exchange rates may not be as good as outside the game, but you know for sure you are not scammed. Check out our article on Reliable Sites for Trading In-game Items that contains a list of platforms where you can trade in-game items safely.
I Have Been Scammed, What should I do?
First of all, do not be ashamed. It happens to thousands of people every day. Acting quickly is, however, important. Do not give the scammer time to misuse your account:
- Change your passwords: Change all the passwords you gave him as quickly as possible.
- Contact the game’s support: If you can no longer log in to your account, contact the game’s support team and describe what happened into as much detail as possible such as which website you visited, the emails you got and proof of transaction).
- Contact your credit card company/Paypal: If you have paid the scammer using any payment method, contact your bank/credit card company/Paypal and discuss with them which actions you should take.
- Tell your parents (if applicable): If you are a minor, your parents can help you and it is better to tell them yourself instead of them finding out about it on their own. Grown-ups get scammed too.
Stay safe by only purchasing games through trusted platforms, such as the ones on our list of Reliable Sites to Buy & Download Games.
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