World · India Bureau
Teen chases online gaming prize, travels 400km from home before police intervention
A 14-year-old student from Firozabad embarked on an unplanned journey across northern India while attempting to complete a gaming task for a monetary reward. The boy was recovered safely from a roadways bus after police tracked him across multiple states.
LSN India ·
An eighth-grade student from Firozabad set out to complete an online task in the popular gaming application PUBG that promised a reward of ₹1 lakh. The teenager, whose identity has not been disclosed, lost his way during the journey and ended up travelling to Indore before eventually reaching Mathura, covering approximately 400 kilometres from his starting point.
The boy's disappearance triggered a search operation by local authorities in Firozabad. Police utilized surveillance and tracking mechanisms to monitor his movements and locate his whereabouts across the states.
Operatives managed to intercept the student aboard a roadways bus service, recovering him safely before he could travel further. The successful recovery operation highlighted the risks posed by online gaming challenges to minors, particularly when such tasks incentivize travel or other potentially dangerous activities.
The incident raises concerns about the accessibility of gaming platforms to underage users and the nature of challenges promoted through such applications. Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the source of the gaming task or whether any action will be taken against the platform hosting the challenge.
The student has been reunited with his family following the recovery.