Roblox is adding paid billboard ads within the game, making it the largest playground for product pushing. Do you think kids have selective vision when their game is covered in ads?
Kids play Roblox or Fortnite? Read this now!
Imagine if either of these online games were your business. In a single day, you had all these customers showing up at your site or store.
- Roblox has 66,100,000 daily active users.
- Fortnite has 237,000,000 daily active users.
That’s a ton of people sitting in front of screens, right? Cue the hackers and scammers. They noticed it, too.
If you have kids in the family, chances are they’re playing Roblox or Fortnite. What you (and them) don’t know is there’s a dark, scammy side that’s getting more extensive and sinister. This is important information for all parents and grandparents to know.
One family was hoodwinked after their 11-year-old daughter was tricked on Roblox. Her parents bought her two custom avatars for her birthday — valued at a whopping $280. A day later, another player tricked her and stole them. Poor kid.
Earlier this year, over 300 Roblox users were caught laundering money through the game. They used fake in-game purchases (for items that didn’t exist) to transfer real money. A class action lawsuit is currently underway for the victims. And you know how that goes … lawyers make the most bank.
Bad news: There’s a bigger, badder scam in town. Thousands of reputable websites — universities, professional organizations and even U.S. government agencies — have been hacked to push Fortnite and Roblox scams to kids.
The plot thickens
The premise is simple: Hackers scan a website for a vulnerability or weakness in the backend, then upload what are known as “poison PDFs.” These malicious documents appear in search results, promoting everything from free Roblox in-game currency (Robux) to free Fortnite skins.
You think you’re getting free Robux, but wait! There’s just one “last step.” A pop-up asks you to sign up for another service to unlock your free gift. Fill it out and the only gift you get is a computer virus — or identity theft.
These scams aren’t limited to websites. They can be found in YouTube videos and surveys, too. Roblox and Fortnite are just the latest victims. Similar scams have been reported offering free Amazon gift cards or cash prizes.
Guard the fort
These games are 'hungry' for data
Do you crush candies? Maybe you prefer word games, collecting coins or playing cards. Your favorite phone game is probably collecting a lot more than you know. No wonder it’s free!
Privacy company Surfshark compiled a list of the most data-hungry games out there. Is your fave on the list?
Roblox has a pedophile problem
Kids love playing Roblox online with their friends — it’s crazy popular. But now, adults with bad intentions are targeting children through it.
📉 Watch the kiddos: Roblox stock dropped 9% after claims surfaced that the online game platform is a “pedophile hellscape.” Kids are being exposed to grooming, p*rn, violence and abusive language. Games kids can join include “Escape to Epstein Island” and “Run from Diddy Simulator.” Awful.
Some 60% of Roblox’s 70 million active players are under 16: And those 13 and up can buy a ticket to “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” directly through the game. It includes a special game avatar to lure ‘em in. If your kid uses your card for in-game currency, know they’re being heavily marketed to.
Talk to your kiddos: Roblox is adding paid ads in virtual billboards to its game. Brands like Walmart are already lining up to advertise to nearly 72 million daily players. With 43% of players under 13, they’re going to make so much money rocking the blocks.
Our hospitals are under attack
This week’s cyberattack on one of the largest health systems in the U.S., Ascension, was bad — really bad. Plus, a controversial Apple iPad ad, more Cybertruck problems, and Roblox adds virtual billboards to the game.
It started off with a gift: Kids are renting out their spare computer power to AI companies. Not a hard sell, when they’re offering Fortnite skins and Roblox gift cards. Here’s what your kid won’t realize: Their machine is being used to create AI porn, and they’re automatically opted in. Make sure none of the computers in your home are signed up to sites like Salad.
Roblox scams that target your kids
More than 70 million people play Roblox daily. Find out why some are fraudsters targeting children.
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Plus, I talk with self-made billionaire John A. Catsimatidis on his determination and journey to success. Also, curious about the dark side of Roblox? I tell you why scammers are after your kid’s chore money! And wait till you hear why the FBI is warning against charging in public with low battery. If you’re a hiker, Google Maps has new tools just for you. Oh, and should you let robots mow your lawn? I’ll give you all the compelling reasons why it’s time.