In an alarming incident highlighting the dangers of gaming addiction, a 31-year-old man from Japan has spent his 82-year-old grandmother’s entire $250,000 savings on a mobile MMORPG. The details were shared by the man’s younger sister on X (formerly Twitter), revealing an extensive list of in-game purchases.

The sister detailed how her brother withdrew approximately ¥40 million ($250,000) from their grandmother’s account, transferring the funds to his own and using the money for lavish purchases in the game 魔剣伝説, or “Magic Sword Legend,” a mobile MMORPG developed by SPOTLIGHT NETWORK LIMITED. This game features gacha elements, enticing players to spend large sums on top characters and items.

In her post, the sister expressed frustration and helplessness, explaining that her brother considers the situation a civil matter and believes he cannot be held criminally liable. She is desperate to recover the stolen money and ensure her brother faces the consequences.

This is not an isolated case. Last year, a 13-year-old girl from China spent $64,000 on mobile games in just four months, leaving her family almost penniless. A couple of years ago, a 16-year-old spent $12,000 on PUBG Mobile. These incidents, involving both minors and adults, demonstrate that gaming addiction affects people of all ages.

While mobile games offer fun and entertainment, they pose a significant risk when leading to addictive spending. This incident should prompt discussions about regulating in-game purchases and increasing awareness and preventive measures against gaming addiction.