A fraud and financial crime expert based in Birmingham has raised the alarm after discovering that children as young as 10 or 11 are being targeted by scammers on the popular gaming platform Roblox. The specialist, who wishes to remain anonymous, regularly educates the public on financial crime and fraud prevention. During a school visit, she was shocked when primary school children in Year 6 told her they had been approached by fraudsters on Roblox.
How Scammers Target Young Users
The expert explained that the scammers often lure children by inviting them to join a community, then directing them to a fake login page to steal usernames and passwords. In other cases, children are asked to download other apps. These incidents involve children as young as 11, who are not even the primary focus of the upcoming under-16s social media ban announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on June 15, 2026, which is set to take effect in spring 2027.
Roblox's Response
Roblox has responded to the allegations, highlighting its safety features that have been rolled out globally. A spokesperson stated that the platform takes reports of phishing and scam attempts seriously, with rules and safety systems designed to protect users, especially younger ones. Chat protections hinder attempts to move conversations off-platform, and users aged 9-13 cannot receive direct messages outside games. In games, they can only receive messages from users under 16 and trusted friends. The platform also provides reporting tools, parental controls, and resources for families. With the global rollout of Roblox Kids and Roblox Select accounts, the platform aims to align game access, chat features, and parental controls with a user's age, offering stronger default protections for younger users.
Public Reaction and Government Action
The news has divided Brummies, with some supporting the government's crackdown on young people's social media usage. The fraud expert's experience underscores the need for greater awareness and safety measures online, as even primary school children are falling victim to sophisticated scams.
