Australian parents are being warned about a disturbing rise in online scams targeting children on the popular gaming platform Roblox, with some families losing hundreds or even thousands of dollars after their kids were tricked into sharing personal data or making unauthorised purchases.
Cybersecurity lawyers and child safety experts say criminals are exploiting the trust and inexperience of young players by offering fake rewards such as “free Robux” — the in-game currency — in exchange for passwords or credit card details.
Lawyer Oliver Morrissey from Empower Law Group said that children are falling victim to “highly successful scams designed to play on their excitement and social status within the game”.
“There is no such thing as free Robux,” he warned. “Any message or website asking for your password or promising free rewards is a scam.”
According to Morrissey, the most common traps include fake “Robux generators,” fraudulent trades for virtual items, and private messages containing suspicious links. Many victims are aged between 8 and 14, and the losses often extend to their parents’ credit cards, which may be stored in Roblox accounts.
In several cases, families reported discovering unauthorised transactions worth hundreds or thousands of dollars after their children attempted to regain lost in-game items by purchasing more Robux.
“What begins as a virtual loss quickly becomes a real financial loss,” Morrissey explained.
Child wellbeing researcher Dr Joanne Orlando added that younger players — especially those under 10 — struggle to distinguish between gameplay, advertising, and social pressure.
“Children at this age are impulsive, and the one-click design of online games makes it far too easy to act without thinking,” she said.
Experts warn that legal protections are limited. Under Australian law, the main consumer protection framework applies only to children under 13 and focuses on safeguarding personal data rather than financial accountability for scams. Teenagers aged 13–17, who form a large part of Roblox’s user base, remain particularly exposed.
A Roblox spokesperson stated that the company will introduce new safety measures by the end of 2025, including facial age-verification technology before users in Australia can access chat or messaging features.
Tips for Parents
- Set parental controls: Link your email to your child’s account and activate a parent PIN to restrict spending and chat options.
- Educate your child: Teach them that “free Robux” offers are scams and to never share passwords, even with friends.
- Establish an allowance: Give your child a small monthly Robux budget to reduce temptation and help them treat spending responsibly.
