A recent case investigated by police in Xicheng District reveals a credit card fraud scheme targeting minors. A high school student, using the pseudonym Xiao Qi, was tricked into attempting to obtain a free skin for the popular game "Honor of Kings," resulting in the theft of 150,000 yuan from his mother's bank accounts.

During a holiday, Xiao Qi, a resident of Xicheng District, added a stranger on QQ. The individual claimed to be a livestreamer on a short-video platform and promised to gift a rare in-game skin to Xiao Qi's "Honor of Kings" account if Xiao Qi followed his channel.

Lured by the offer, Xiao Qi followed the account. Subsequently, a man with a southern accent made a video call to "fulfill the promise," instructing Xiao Qi to retrieve his mother's phone, claiming the operation required two devices. Under the caller's direction, Xiao Qi used his own phone, which was on the video call, to film his mother's phone screen.

Following the instructions, Xiao Qi opened the "Bank Cards" service within his mother's Alipay app and performed an operation to add a bank card without manually entering the card number. To convince Xiao Qi that the subsequent skin purchase would not deduct funds, the man had him check the balance in his mother's Alipay account. A test transfer of 10 yuan was then made, and the Alipay balance remained unchanged.

This deception lowered Xiao Qi's guard. He was then guided to change his mother's Alipay account password and divulge her personal information, including her full name, ID number, and multiple SMS verification codes received on her phone.

The scam was interrupted when Xiao Qi's mother returned for her phone, realized her son was being deceived upon hearing the conversation, and immediately ended the call. A subsequent check revealed over 30 unauthorized transactions totaling more than 150,000 yuan had been made from her bank cards.

Xiao Qi was left deeply remorseful and confused, unable to understand how the money was stolen when his mother's Alipay balance had appeared unchanged.

"The scammer exploited the child's unfamiliarity with the Alipay platform and the convenience of adding bank cards without entering details," explained Shen Wenjing, head of the research unit at the Xicheng Branch Criminal Investigation Detachment of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau. The scammer had Xiao Qi check the balance of funds directly stored within the Alipay wallet, while the stolen money was transferred from the bank cards linked to the account. Xiao Qi, unaware of this distinction, mistakenly believed no transaction had occurred because the Alipay balance was unaffected.

Initially, Xiao Qi's mother had not linked any bank cards to her Alipay account, and the child did not know her bank card information. However, the scammer utilized Alipay's convenient service for adding cards without manual entry. By simply selecting the bank and inputting a verification code sent via SMS—bypassing the need for card numbers or facial recognition—the scammer easily bound multiple of the parent's bank cards to the Alipay account.

After obtaining the parent's Alipay account credentials, password, personal details, bank card information, and SMS codes, the scammer was able to complete remote transfers and drain the funds effortlessly.

Police highlighted that minors, due to their naivety and lack of awareness, have become prime targets for scammers. "Any online offer claiming to provide free game skins, exclusive equipment, or discounted top-ups through unofficial channels is unequivocally a scam," Shen Wenjing warned. She advised young people that the only safe method for any game-related transactions—including purchases, top-ups, draws, or item trades—is through the game's official application or other authorized channels. She strongly cautioned against clicking unknown links, adding unfamiliar customer service contacts, making private transfers, or using unverified mini-programs for payments.

The police urge minors to always communicate with a parent or guardian before engaging in any online consumption, transfers, or scanning QR codes. If anyone requests access to a parent's phone, asks for SMS verification codes, inquires about payment passwords, demands to enable screen sharing, or guides them to transfer money through unofficial channels, individuals should immediately stop the interaction and inform an adult.

Parents are also advised to pay closer attention to their children's online activities and social interactions, safeguard their personal devices, and ensure children do not have access to critical information such as ID numbers, bank card details, and passwords, thereby leaving no opportunity for fraudsters.