Tech
Pokemon Go: Armed Robbers Use Mobile Game To Target Missouri Gamers
Megha Kedia
First Posted: Jul 12, 2016 05:11 AM EDT
While everybody is going crazy playing the real-world adventure game, "Pokemon Go," a group of armed robbers used the game to target their victims in Missouri.
According to reports, four men used the gaming app "Pokemon Go" to make victims fall into their trap and then robbed them at gun point. It is to be noted that the game requires players to collect imaginary creatures like Pikachu and Squirtle at real world landmarks by using their smartphone GPS.
The app contains "Pokéstops," or notable locations where players need to travel to in order to earn points. In fact, players are also offered an option to put a "Lure Module," which attracts Pokémon, on a Pokéstop, and invite other players to come to the location and collect Pokémon.
Daily Mail reported that the four accused aged between 16 -18 namely Brett Miller, Jamine Warner, Shane Backer along with their fourth juvenile partner used the game's features to invite players to secluded areas where they easily robbed them.
While, three of the accused have been charged with charges of robbery in the first degree and armed criminal action, their fourth partner in crime, a 16-year-old juvenile, has been sent to the St.Charles County Juvenile Justice Center.
The O'Fallon Missouri Police Department said in a statement on their Facebook page that they were alerted to an armed robbery at 2 a.m. Sunday. They said that the thieves used the app to set up a beacon at a Pokéstop within the game. They were able to rob 11 teenagers in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties of Missouri.
Talking about the incident, Sgt. Robert Kendall said, "We arrested all four suspects and recovered a handgun. We felt it important for our residents' safety to share what we did know and remind them to be cognizant of their safety and surroundings."
The police has warned "Pokemon Go" players to use caution when alerting strangers of their future location.
We advise our readers to be careful while playing the game.
See Now:
NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone
©2024 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
More on SCIENCEwr
First Posted: Jul 12, 2016 05:11 AM EDT
While everybody is going crazy playing the real-world adventure game, "Pokemon Go," a group of armed robbers used the game to target their victims in Missouri.
According to reports, four men used the gaming app "Pokemon Go" to make victims fall into their trap and then robbed them at gun point. It is to be noted that the game requires players to collect imaginary creatures like Pikachu and Squirtle at real world landmarks by using their smartphone GPS.
The app contains "Pokéstops," or notable locations where players need to travel to in order to earn points. In fact, players are also offered an option to put a "Lure Module," which attracts Pokémon, on a Pokéstop, and invite other players to come to the location and collect Pokémon.
Daily Mail reported that the four accused aged between 16 -18 namely Brett Miller, Jamine Warner, Shane Backer along with their fourth juvenile partner used the game's features to invite players to secluded areas where they easily robbed them.
While, three of the accused have been charged with charges of robbery in the first degree and armed criminal action, their fourth partner in crime, a 16-year-old juvenile, has been sent to the St.Charles County Juvenile Justice Center.
The O'Fallon Missouri Police Department said in a statement on their Facebook page that they were alerted to an armed robbery at 2 a.m. Sunday. They said that the thieves used the app to set up a beacon at a Pokéstop within the game. They were able to rob 11 teenagers in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties of Missouri.
Talking about the incident, Sgt. Robert Kendall said, "We arrested all four suspects and recovered a handgun. We felt it important for our residents' safety to share what we did know and remind them to be cognizant of their safety and surroundings."
The police has warned "Pokemon Go" players to use caution when alerting strangers of their future location.
We advise our readers to be careful while playing the game.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone