Cybercrime

Every year, online fraudsters and hackers are getting younger. Modern teenagers spend most of their time online, but the possibilities of the World Wide Web are used differently by everyone. Approximately 92% of Belarusian parents are unaware of their children's potentially dangerous online activities. At the same time, 58% of minors hide from their parents what they are actually doing online. The most common method of online fraud among minors is the use of parents' bank cards (or those of other family members) when purchasing in-game items.

In-game items (donations) in online games usually refer to a player's payment for additional bonuses, unique items, and other benefits not available through normal gameplay, without real money payment. Most often, in its pure form, in-game items are found in free-to-play games – increased leveling speed, unique and powerful equipment, special currency with which one can buy powerful in-game items, goodies, weapons, etc. In paid games, such as WOW, in-game items refer to the purchase of unique pets (animals, creatures tied to the character and accompanying them in the game) and mounts (means of transportation), available in the game only for real money.

Many parents are unaware that their child, a gamer, spends their pocket money on in-game purchases, becoming addicted to it. The child gamer makes in-game purchases to appear better than other players and gain an advantage over them in the game.

Children violate Part 2 of Article 212 and Part 2 of Article 349 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.