Fortnite Gamers Targeted by Cybercriminals in Elaborate Scams

As of August 14th, 2025, cybercriminals have been actively targeting children who play the popular video game Fortnite, using a variety of scams to steal their parents' money. The game's in-game currency, known as V-Bucks, has become a prime target for these scammers.

Fortnite, one of the world's most popular video games, boasts hundreds of millions of players worldwide, many of them children. Typically, scammers target adults due to their access to funds. However, the game's economy, which revolves around the purchase of V-Bucks, has provided scammers with a new avenue to exploit vulnerable young gamers.

Cybersecurity experts have identified three main types of scams being used against Fortnite players. The first is a phishing scam, where children are lured into clicking on fake websites promising discounted V-Bucks or other rewards. These websites are designed to steal the victims' credit card information. The second scam involves social engineering, where a criminal poses as a friendly gamer and builds trust with the child, eventually convincing them to share their credit card details or download malware. The third scam involves hijacking a child's Fortnite account and holding it for ransom, demanding payment for its return.

To protect their children, parents are being urged to take several steps. These include emphasizing the real-world value of V-Bucks, reminding children that online strangers cannot be trusted, and setting up parental controls on the game and associated devices. By taking these precautions, parents can help safeguard their children from becoming victims of these elaborate scams.