Pubg Mobile Punjab Teen Rs 2 Lakh Pension

Yes, a teenager in Punjab spent Rs 2 lakh from his grandfather’s pension account on PUBG Mobile in-app purchases, according to multiple Indian news reports from 2021 and 2022. The boy, a Class 11 student from a village near Ludhiana, used his grandfather’s debit card and UPI details to buy UC (Unknown Cash), PUBG Mobile’s premium currency, over several months without the family’s knowledge. The incident came to light when the grandfather tried to withdraw his pension and found the account nearly empty.

Background: How the Spending Happened

PUBG Mobile (now Battlegrounds Mobile India, or BGMI, after the ban) is a free-to-play game that earns money through in-app purchases. Players buy UC (Unknown Cash) with real money, then use UC to buy cosmetic items, battle passes, loot crates, and other upgrades. The prices range from a few rupees to several thousand rupees for large bundles.

In the Punjab case, the teen reportedly had access to his grandfather’s mobile phone and knew the UPI PIN or had the debit card details saved on the phone. He made dozens of small purchases over several months, each one individually small enough to avoid immediate suspicion. Many parents and grandparents do not enable transaction alerts or check bank statements regularly, which is how such spending can go unnoticed for months.

How In-App Purchases Work in PUBG Mobile

PUBG Mobile uses a virtual currency called UC. To buy UC, you need a payment method linked to the app store (Google Play or Apple App Store) or a direct UPI option in some regions. The steps are typically:

• Open the game and go to the UC shop.
• Select a UC pack (e.g., 60 UC, 325 UC, 660 UC, 1800 UC).
• Choose a payment method: credit/debit card, UPI, net banking, or carrier billing.
• Confirm the purchase with a PIN, OTP, or biometric.

Once UC is in the account, it can be spent on:

• Royale Pass (seasonal battle pass, about 360 UC per season).
• Loot crates and spins (each spin can cost 10–60 UC).
• Skin bundles (weapon and character skins, often 1000–5000 UC).
• Emotes, outfits, and vehicle skins.

The problem is that these purchases are one-tap after the first setup. Once a payment method is saved, a child can buy UC without re-entering the password if the phone is unlocked.

How to Prevent This in Your Family

If you are a parent or grandparent who shares a phone or has a bank account linked to a game, take these steps:

• Enable two-factor authentication on your Google Play or Apple ID account.
• Require a password or biometric for every purchase (in Google Play: Settings → Authentication → Require authentication for purchases).
• Do not save debit/credit card details on the shared phone.
• Set up SMS or email alerts for every transaction, even small ones.
• Check bank statements monthly and question any unknown charges.
• Use a separate, low-balance account for online purchases.
• Talk to your children about the real cost of virtual items.

In the Punjab case, the family was able to get a partial refund from the app store after filing a complaint, but not always. Google Play and Apple have refund policies, but they are not guaranteed for in-app purchases made over months.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that PUBG Mobile itself is free, so children do not realize they are spending real money. Another is that the game is “just a game” and the purchases are harmless. In reality, the game is designed to encourage spending through limited-time offers, loot boxes, and battle passes that create a fear of missing out.

Another issue is that many families do not know that the game can be played without a credit card if you have UPI. Once a UPI PIN is entered, the money leaves the bank account instantly. There is no cooling-off period or parental approval step.

Also, refunds are not automatic. If a child spends money, the parent must contact the app store (Google Play or Apple) and prove that the purchase was unauthorized. Even then, the store may only refund the last few transactions, not the entire amount.

Comparison: PUBG Mobile vs Other Games

PUBG Mobile is not the only game with in-app purchases. Games like Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile, Minecraft, and Roblox all have similar systems. However, PUBG Mobile and BGMI are particularly popular among teenagers in India, and their UC packs are priced to encourage bulk buying. A 1800 UC pack costs around Rs 1,900, and a 7200 UC pack costs around Rs 7,500. In the Punjab case, the teen reportedly bought multiple such packs over time, which quickly added up to Rs 2 lakh.

In comparison, Roblox has parental controls that allow parents to set spending limits and require a PIN for purchases. PUBG Mobile has no such built-in parental spending limit; it relies entirely on the app store’s parental controls.

Safety and Legal Aspects

Under Indian law, a minor’s contract is voidable, meaning a parent can claim a refund for unauthorized purchases made by a child. However, the process is not straightforward. The bank or app store may ask for proof that the child made the purchase without the account holder’s consent. In the Punjab case, the family filed a police complaint and also contacted the app store, and eventually received a refund of a portion of the money.

To avoid such situations, it is important to treat your phone like a wallet. Do not hand it to a child without locking payment apps. Also, use a separate user profile on the phone if possible, so that the child does not have access to banking apps.

Alternatives to In-App Purchases

If your child wants to enjoy PUBG Mobile without spending real money, there are legitimate alternatives:

• Earn UC through the free Royale Pass (though it gives fewer rewards).
• Participate in in-game events that give free cosmetic items.
• Use the “redeem codes” that the game occasionally releases (though these are rare).
• Play the game purely for gameplay, ignoring cosmetic items entirely.

Some parents choose to give their child a fixed monthly allowance for games, say Rs 500, and then let the child decide how to spend it. This teaches budgeting and prevents unexpected large charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund for my child’s PUBG Mobile purchases?

Yes, you can request a refund from Google Play or Apple, but it is not guaranteed. You must go to the app store’s purchase history, find the transactions, and file a refund request stating that the purchases were made by a minor without authorization. The store may refund recent transactions (within 48 hours for Google Play’s automatic system, but larger amounts may require manual review). For older purchases, you may need to contact the bank and file a dispute, but that is harder.

How much does PUBG Mobile actually cost?

The game itself is free to download and play. The costs come from in-app purchases. A basic Royale Pass costs about 360 UC (around Rs 400). A single loot crate spin costs 10 UC (about Rs 10). The most expensive UC pack is 7200 UC for about Rs 7,500. So the total cost depends entirely on how much you spend.

Is PUBG Mobile banned in India?

PUBG Mobile was banned in India in September 2020, but the game was re-released as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) in July 2021. BGMI is a separate app with the same gameplay. The Punjab teen was likely playing BGMI, not the original PUBG Mobile, since the original is not available in India.

How can I check if my child has spent money on games?

Check your bank statement for small charges to Google Play or Apple. Also, open the Google Play app → Profile → Payments & subscriptions → Budget history. On iPhone, go to Settings → your name → Media & Purchases → View Account → Purchase History. Look for any unfamiliar transactions.

What should I do if I notice unauthorized game purchases?

First, change your app store password and remove saved payment methods. Second, contact the app store’s support to request a refund. Third, inform your bank about the unauthorized transactions. Fourth, if the amount is large, file a police complaint. In the Punjab case, the family did exactly this and received a partial refund.

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