In-Game Currency Scam
Offers of cheap or free in-game currency, coins, skins, points, or items appear on unofficial websites, adverts, and direct messages, often promising a fraction of the normal price. To 'deliver' the items, the site asks you to log in with your game account or pay through an unofficial checkout. This can hand over your account credentials or card details, leading to a hijacked account or a charge for items that never arrive. These offers frequently target younger players who may be less wary.
Quick verdict
What this scam usually looks like
Offers of cheap or free in-game currency, coins, skins, points, or items appear on unofficial websites, adverts, and direct messages, often promising a fraction of the normal price. To 'deliver' the items, the site asks you to log in with your game account or pay through an unofficial checkout. This can hand over your account credentials or card details, leading to a hijacked account or a charge for items that never arrive. These offers frequently target younger players who may be less wary.
Example message pattern
This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.
Red flags to watch for
- Currency or items are offered far below the normal price, or free in exchange for 'just logging in'.
- You are asked to enter your game username and password on a site that is not the official platform.
- Payment goes through an unfamiliar checkout, gift cards, or a personal transfer rather than the official store.
- The offer uses heavy urgency, such as a countdown or 'first 100 players', to rush you.
- The link arrives by direct message, advert, or video description rather than from the game itself.
What to do
- Buy currency or items only through the game's official in-app store or verified platform.
- Turn on two-step or multi-factor authentication on the game account where it is available.
- Check the exact web address carefully, as scam sites often mimic the real name with small changes.
- If a younger player uses the account, talk through why official stores are the safer route.
If you already clicked or replied
- Do not enter your login or card details, and close the page if you have not already submitted anything.
- If you entered your password, change it immediately and on any other account that shares it.
- Turn on two-step verification and review the account for unfamiliar logins or purchases.
- If you paid, contact your card provider to ask about disputing the charge, and report the page.
What not to do
- Do not log into your game account on any site that is not the official platform.
- Do not pay for currency through gift cards or transfers to a stranger.
- Do not assume a slick design or familiar logo means the site is the official one.
Similar scams
Cheap Software Key Scam
Some sites and listings sell software licence keys or activation codes at prices far below the official rate. The codes may be fake, stolen, generated in bulk, region-locked, or genuine keys that get deactivated soon after activation. Buyers can end up with software that stops working, fails to activate, or breaches the licence terms, and some checkout pages also exist mainly to harvest card details. The financial loss per key is often small, but the disruption and data risk can be larger.
Fake Giveaway Scam
This scam tells you that you won a prize or giveaway, then asks for a fee, your login, or personal details to 'claim' it.
Gift Card Balance Scam
In this scam, a fake 'check your gift card balance' website or message asks you to enter your gift card number and PIN, which the scammer then uses to drain the card's value before you get the chance to spend it.
Frequently asked questions
Why is cheap in-game currency risky?
Is it safe to log in to claim a bonus?
My child wants to buy skins from a cheap site. What should I say?
What if my account has already been taken over?
Last reviewed: June 2026