Teen Reportedly Spent Rs. 16 Lakhs From Parents’ Bank Accounts on Game

PUBG Mobile has remained a popular game during the global pandemic and it further managed to see steady growth in its revenues, according to Sensor Tower analysis. However, the battle royale game from Tencent Games has also received flak from different corners for its "addictive" gameplay that has taken its users to the extremes. A new report on Thursday claimed that a teenager from Punjab spent Rs. 16 lakhs from his parents' bank accounts to make in-app purchases on PUBG Mobile. It was added that the 17-year-old from Kharar spent his father's life's savings kept for medical expenses.

Citing the teen's parents, a report by Tribune India has claimed that the teenager had access to three bank accounts that he used to upgrade his PUBG Mobile account. The teenager reportedly made in-app purchases for his teammates as well. The report adds that the family came to learn about this from their bank statements.

It is said that the father of the minor is a government employee and has a medical history. The father, who did not wish to be named, told Tribune India that 17-year-old lived with his mother, while he was posted elsewhere. "He used her [mother's] mobile phone to make all transactions and would delete the message regarding amount debited from the account," the father added.

The report further claims that the parents thought the 17-year-old was excessively using the smartphone "for online study." Following the incident, the teenager is made to work in a repair shop, to avoid spending more time on PUBG Mobile. "I just can't let him sit idle at home and cannot give him a mobile phone even for studying," the father told the daily.