Warning to parents as paedophiles use viral Prime drink scams to groom children
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Joanna Lovell
Associate EditorParents are urged to protect their children from being lured by 'free Prime drink meet-ups'
It's the popular drink parents have fought in supermarket aisles over, as children became desperate to try it after it went viral online.
But experts have now warned parents that sick predators are using children's desperation to get their hands on the Prime Hydration drink by luring them into false online giveaways in order to groom them.
Scammers are reportedly using Facebook and the video game Roblox, plus other apps to attract kids to rogue 'free Prime drink giveaways' in order to meet up.
Children as young as 12 are targeted
Internet proxy experts from Geonode found that children as young as 12 are being targeted. They found more than 50 forums and chat room websites, including 'Chat to Go' and 'Kids Chat Net', being used to entice children to meet for the drink.
According to analysis, Google searches for 'free Prime drink meet-ups' had shot up by 789 percent over the previous month.
Geoff Newiss, director of Action Against Abduction, says parents need to be extra vigilant with their kids' online activities and make sure they understand people they meet online are 'strangers.'
'Online forums have changed the nature of these offences'
He told The Sun: 'Traditionally we've always thought about abduction happening outdoors – a man driving round trying to lure a child into a car with the promise of sweets.
'But online forums have really changed the nature of these offences.
'The important thing to remember is that simply warning children about strangers is probably not going to do the job.
'Children go online to meet and connect with people, and the concept of a stranger quickly gets lost, particularly in the face of a powerful lure.
'In the same way as outdoor safety, we suggest that parents use the Clever Never Goes rule.'
Geoff, Clever Never Goes lead developer, shared his tips for how parents can stay on top of what their kids are up to online.
How to talk to your child about their online activity
He said: 'For parents, being able to talk to children about their online lives is key.
'Relaxed, regular conversations about internet use can encourage children to ask when they are unsure about something.
'If children start being very secretive or get nervous when they receive a notification this could be a warning signal for parents to look further into their children's online activities.'
Geoff also shared advice for youngsters, adding: 'If someone's trying to get you to meet up with them in person then tell a parent or someone you trust so they can check it out.'
Why is the Prime drink so popular?
The drink was founded by YouTube stars KSI and Logan Paul, and it's reported 50,000 bottles were sold out within five minutes of being launched online, leading to 'insane' bidding wars.
The drink's popularity grew after the YouTube stars promoted it around high-profile celebrity boxing bouts in the UK.
The duo came up with the idea for coconut water-based Prime Hydration after their final boxing match in 2019.
The drinks are now available in 11 flavours – including blue raspberry, tropical punch and grape.
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