The Forensic Perspective: Why Parents are Legally Liable

According to Dr. Rohan Nyayadhish, a leading Cyber Crime Investigator in India, many parents don’t realize the legal implications of sharing payment access.

This process identifies security weaknesses within systems such as:

• The Non-repudiation Clause: In cyber law, if a transaction originates from your authorized device/account, you cannot easily claim it was "unauthorized." You are the Primary User; the legal onus of every rupee spent lies on you.
• The Metadata Trail: Even if a child initiates a scam payment, forensic analysis of the app’s database (com.google.android.apps.nbu.paisa) will show the transaction linked to your banking credentials.

Common Modus Operandi Targeting Children

Cybercriminals are now pivoting their Social Engineering tactics toward minors. Here is how they strike:

These systems store critical business information including:

• Gaming Scams: Scammers lure children on platforms like BGMI or Free Fire, promising "Legendary Skins" or "Level Ups" in exchange for small UPI transfers.
• The "Request" Trap: A fraudster sends a "Collect Request" to the child. The child, thinking it’s a gift or a required fee, forwards it to the parent. The parent, in a hurry, clicks 'Approve,' and money is instantly debited.
• Remote Access Fraud: Children often download "Free" versions of paid apps, which may contain malware or hidden remote access tools (RATs) like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, giving hackers full control of the device.

Dr. Rohan Nyayadhish’s "Forensic Mantra" for Digital Safety

To ensure your family stays safe while using DTF Services insights, follow these expert steps:

1. Opt for Partial Delegation: Never give "Full Delegation" rights to minors. Always ensure the final PIN entry remains in your hand.
2. Enable Biometric Locks: Go beyond the UPI PIN. Use Fingerprint or Face ID for app-level security.
3. Audit Device Hygiene: Regularly check your child’s phone for unknown apps. Ensure "Developer Options" and "Unknown Sources" installations are turned off.
4. The 24-Hour Cooling Period: Use the initial 24 hours after adding a new user to monitor small, suspicious "test" transactions.

Conclusion

UPI Circle is a useful innovation that helps children learn digital financial responsibility, but it also introduces new Cyber Security risks if not managed carefully. While delegated payments offer convenience, parents remain legally and financially accountable for every transaction made through their linked account, making awareness and supervision essential.

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting children through gaming scams, fake collect requests, and malicious app downloads, exploiting their lack of awareness. This makes it critical for parents to choose safer options like partial delegation, enable biometric locks, and regularly monitor their child’s device activity.

In the digital age, financial independence must go hand in hand with cyber safety. By combining smart parental controls with proper cyber awareness, families can ensure that digital pocket money becomes a secure learning tool rather than a gateway to fraud.

Partner with Digital Task Force for Cyber Security

As a pioneer in Cyber Forensic Examination and Cyber Crime Investigation, Digital Task Force is dedicated to making the internet a safer place for the next generation.

If you suspect you have been a victim of a digital payment scam or need a professional Cyber Security audit for your organization, reach out to the experts.

• Visit: www.dtfservice.com
• Expert Consultant: Dr. Rohan Nyayadhish
• Contact: +91 81491 28087