In today's digital age, mobile marketing has become an integral part of our online lives. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and some individuals have taken advantage of this to promote illegal gambling apps, luring unsuspecting users into a trap of financial ruin.
The Kerala Police Cyber Cell has been actively monitoring the situation and taking concrete steps to curb the spread of these harmful activities. In a recent move, they took down several social media accounts belonging to popular vloggers who were found promoting these illegal gambling apps. These influencers had been using scripted promotional videos to deceive their followers, showcasing fake success stories and claiming that anyone could earn big bucks by playing these games.
But behind the scenes, these apps operate without permission in the country, preying on people's desperation for easy money. The scripts provided by the companies ensure that the influencers always win, creating a false impression of guaranteed earnings. Moreover, these influencers share links to gambling apps that are not available on the Play Store, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legal and illegal options.
The Kerala Gaming Act of 1960 and the Lottery Regulation Act of 1998 prohibit gambling in the state. Online games are categorized into skill-based and chance-based. According to a 2021 High Court verdict, only skill-based games are legal in the state, while those that rely on chance, betting, or prediction fall under the illegal category.
The Kerala Cyber Police has set up a cyber patrolling team to monitor online fraud and ensure that social media influencers act responsibly. Several gambling apps have already been banned by the central and state IT ministries, and celebrities who endorse these illegal platforms are facing legal action.
As Ankit Asokan, SP of Kerala Police Cyber Operations, emphasized, "Social media influencers must ensure that their content is legal and does not promote or facilitate online fraud. Accounts that promote gambling apps are under strict surveillance by the cyber patrolling team."
It's time for social media influencers to take responsibility for their actions and ensure that their marketing efforts do not harm others. By promoting only legal and ethical activities, they can build trust with their followers and contribute positively to society.