Kupwara Man Considers Kidney Sale After Losing ₹28 Lakh to Online Gaming Addiction

In a troubling development from Kupwara district, a local man has reportedly lost around ₹28 lakh through online gaming, leaving him in such severe financial difficulty that he is now contemplating selling his kidney to cover his debts.

Speaking to Rising Kashmir on condition of anonymity, the man shared that he previously managed a prosperous shop and was able to provide comfortably for his family. However, his situation took a tragic turn when he became involved in online gaming. Despite an initial period of success, his addiction ultimately led to the loss of ₹28 lakh.

This incident underscores a growing concern as increasing numbers of individuals fall victim to the allure of online gaming. A cyber police official cautioned that these games often promise easy money but instead result in significant financial losses. He stressed that there are no shortcuts to success and advised parents to closely monitor their children’s mobile phone usage.

When questioned about the number of similar cases reported to the cyber police, the office noted that while other types of cybercrime are commonly reported, losses from gaming are often not disclosed as victims are typically reluctant to admit their mistakes.

Noor Shahbaz, a social and political activist from Kupwara, condemned the situation as deeply unfortunate and called for extensive education on the dangers of online gaming. He likened its impact to that of drug addiction, urging schools, law enforcement, and the local administration to implement awareness programmes to address this escalating issue.

Shahbaz stressed the need for immediate community and institutional action to safeguard future generations in the Kashmir Valley, highlighting the devastating consequences of the online gaming trend.

Danish Fayaz, a student, observed that online gaming is widespread in the Kashmir Valley. He recounted how a friend recently fell victim to this trend, losing substantial sums of money in a short span. Fayaz highlighted the importance of parental vigilance regarding their children’s mobile phone activities.