Developed by Niantic, the free-to-play augmented reality mobile game called “Pokémon Go” is for iOS and Android device. (Photo : YouTube/Pokémon Go)
One of the dangers of the new game "Pokémon Go" is that it can facilitate a crime, particularly robbery. Recently, the geolocation feature of the app was recently used by Missouri suspects to target their clueless victims, police have learned.
"Pokémon Go" was released in the United States on July 6, Wednesday. On July 10, Sunday, police reported that the game helped armed robbers lure victims to an isolated trap in Missouri. Early in the morning that day, authorities responded to a robbery report in O'Fallon, which was ranked 41st best place to live by Money magazine in 2014.
The officers caught four local residents aged 16 to 18, who they identified as suspects of similar armed robberies described in Missouri, particularly in St. Louis and St. Charles counties. With bond set at $100,000, the adult suspects were charged with first-degree robbery and a felony.
"Using the geolocation feature, the robbers were able to anticipate the location and level of seclusion of unwitting victims," The Guardian quoted Sgt. Bill Stringer as saying. Police believe that the suspects used the "Pokémon Go" game to tempt players into isolated areas where they could be easily robbed.
"Pokémon Go" directs players to capture imaginary creatures superimposed onto the real world. Built on the Real World Gaming Platform of Niantic, the game encourages its players to search far and wide in the real world with real locations to accomplish the mission, which is to discover Pokémon.
With "Pokémon Go," players discover Pokémon in their own world. The game enables the players to find and catch more than a hundred species of Pokémon as they explore their surroundings.
Set to be released soon is the Pokémon Go Plus, an optional wearable device sold as a separate purchase. Using Bluetooth connection, the device works alongside the "Pokémon Go" game and notifies players when a Pokémon is nearby through an LED display and light vibration.
Watch a clip about the "Pokémon Go" game here:
