Urgent Notice From Bbva to Thousands of Spaniards: Be Careful, It Can Catch You Off Guard

BBVA has once again alerted thousands of customers, this time, about video games. The rise of these, especially online, has changed the way young people entertain themselves and interact on the internet.

Platforms like Minecraft, Fortnite, Roblox, and Among Us have gained millions of players in Spain. In fact, they have become virtual spaces where it is possible to socialize and compete with people from all over the world. However, this success has not gone unnoticed by cybercriminals, who have found in these games a perfect scenario to deceive users.

BBVA Warns of Scams Targeting Young People in Video Games

Faced with the alarming increase in fraud and cyberattacks on these platforms, BBVA has issued an urgent warning to raise awareness among parents and players. Especially about the risks lurking in the world of online gaming. Scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal personal data, install malware on devices, and manipulate minors through chats and fake offers.

Fraud in video games is not a new phenomenon, but the number of attacks specifically targeting children and teenagers has skyrocketed. A report by Kaspersky revealed that in the first six months of 2024, cyberattacks on young players increased by 30% compared to the previous year.

The most affected video games were the aforementioned ones. These have millions of users and a micropayment system that makes them attractive targets for scammers.

The Most Common Traps Used by Cybercriminals

Criminals have refined their deception techniques, creating fake websites that perfectly mimic the most popular gaming platforms. Through these sites, they offer supposed promotions, exclusive game versions, or virtual currencies at reduced prices. Many players, trusting the authenticity of these offers, end up providing their personal data or downloading infected files that compromise the security of their devices.

Additionally, many video games have internal chats and forums where players interact. Although these tools can be useful, they can also be dangerous if used without caution. Some criminals create fake profiles to gain the trust of young people and manipulate them to obtain personal information or convince them to visit fraudulent sites.

How to Protect Yourself from Online Video Game Frauds

BBVA has shared a series of recommendations for players to enjoy video games safely and without risks. The first measure is to always verify the authenticity of any offer or promotion before clicking on links or providing personal data.

Properly configuring the privacy of gaming accounts is another key step. Limiting profile visibility, avoiding sharing personal information in chats, and using an alias can make it harder for scammers to work.

It is also essential to download games and updates only from official platforms. Many scams begin with the download of infected files from unverified sites. It is advisable to avoid suspicious links and use only official stores like Steam, Epic Games, or the App Store.

Since many of those affected by these frauds are teenagers, BBVA emphasizes the importance of parents being informed and supervising their children's activity in video games. Talking to them about the dangers of sharing information online and establishing responsible usage rules is key to preventing incidents.

Parental control tools can be very helpful. They allow managing game time, limiting chats, and blocking in-app purchases. Setting up these controls from the start prevents minors from making transactions without permission or falling into online traps.