Is an online gaming contact asking me to send Steam gift cards or game credits to continue playing with them a scam?
Yes. Requesting gift cards to continue a gaming interaction is a scam regardless of the cover story. Gift cards are used because they are untraceable and non-refundable.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Gaming scams often target younger players and young adults who are active in online multiplayer communities. A player you have been gaming with — or a stranger who befriended you — makes a request for Steam gift cards, Roblox credits, Fortnite V-Bucks, or similar in-game currency, justified by a story: their parent's credit card stopped working, they are locked out of their account, they will pay you back next week, or they need the cards to access a premium server together.
Some versions involve a romance element — a relationship developed through a gaming platform that eventually leads to financial requests. Others are straightforward transactional: send the codes now and they will be returned with extras later.
Gift card and game currency codes, once sent, are redeemed instantly and cannot be reversed. The recipient is never someone you will meet, and the repayment never happens. These scams disproportionately affect teenagers who may not yet recognise the signs.
No legitimate gaming interaction requires you to purchase and share gift card codes with another player. If someone is asking for this, they are running a scam regardless of how long you have known them online or how much you enjoy gaming together.
Common red flags
- Gaming contact asks you to buy and share gift card codes
- Story explains why they cannot purchase the cards themselves
- Promises to repay you or give you in-game rewards in return
- Request follows a period of building friendship or an online romance
- Becomes upset or manipulative if you hesitate or ask questions
- Account was created recently or the person has no verifiable outside identity
What to do now
- Decline the request and do not purchase any gift cards
- If you already sent codes, report to the card issuer and gaming platform
- Report the account on the gaming platform for fraud
- Talk to a trusted adult if you are a young person who was targeted
- Block the account if the person becomes aggressive or manipulative
- Report to your national cybercrime reporting line
Frequently asked questions
What if I have been gaming with this person for months?
The length of an online relationship does not confirm the person's identity or intentions. Gift card requests from any online contact are a clear scam signal regardless of history.
Can parents protect their children from gaming scams?
Yes. Discussing how gift card requests work and why they are always scams is one of the most effective protections. Parental controls that limit in-game purchases also reduce the risk of impulsive responses.