Some Pokémon GO players have been running into some dangerous situations, as it seems like they are the target of criminal activities. Similarly, one offender lured in a victim to a secluded area using the said game.
Niantic's mobile Pokémon game recently had another popularity surge after its latest major update. While this gave players a new reason to pick up the game, there have also been more accidents because of it. While the mobile app itself is harmless, many fans have been quite reckless when it came to hunting for monsters.
To begin with, one teenager or child might publically announce on social media where he or she might be going to hunt for Pokémon. They are giving strangers straight information to their location when they are possibly alone. In turn, this stranger could easily find their target without much effort.
In line with this, CBS News reports that one taxi driver was able to bring an unsuspecting victim to a secluded area using the Pokémon app. The criminal, Muhammad Mahmood, sexually assaulted a 25-year old woman after she came from a bar. There, he asked her if she played Pokémon GO before bringing her to a lake in Schaumburg, which he claimed was his favorite Pokestop. After the assault, he left the woman in a parking lot before she called for help.
There have been other cases like violent crimes involving shooting, beatings and stabbings. Moreover, a couple in Arizona left their toddler alone so they could play the game. The deputies then discovered the child outside in the scorching heat only wearing a diaper and a T-shirt. The parents have faced charges of child neglect and endangerment for their reckless actions.
Pokémon GO players have been getting themselves into trouble for doing dangerous acts and even trespassing. While fans should enjoy themselves while playing any type of game, they should also be aware of their surroundings and the people they interact with.
