Pokemon Go 'used by armed robbers to lure players into secluded spots'

Armed robbers are using the new Pokemon Go app to lure victims to secluded areas in the US, according to reports.

Four youths aged 16 to 18 were arrested in Missouri after police suspected they used the new game to tempt players into isolated areas where they could easily be robbed.

Officers responding to reports of a robbery discovered the teenagers in a black BMW in a car park in the city of O’Fallon.

A handgun was thrown from the car as police approached.

Pokemon Go is an “augmented reality” game allowing players to catch creatures like Pikachu and Squirtle on their smartphones by walking around their local area.

The free game allows a “’lure” to be placed on a certain area meaning players have to physically walk there to catch wild Pokemon.

A statement posted on the O’Fallon Police Department Facebook page said: “You can add a beacon to a pokestop to lure more players.

“Apparently they [the suspects] were using the app to locate [people] standing around in the middle of a parking lot or whatever other location they were in.”

Police Sergeant Bill Stringer told a US news outlet: “Using the geolocation feature, the robbers were able to anticipate the location and level of seclusion of unwitting victims.”

He added: “They [players] are not aware of their surroundings because they’re staring at their phones.”

In the few days since the virtual treasure hunt’s release, it has already led people into a string of bizarre incidents.

In Wyoming on Friday, the game led one player to a dead body in a river, while other users have also ended up in hospital after chasing Pokemon into hazardous spots.

Four teenagers have been charged with first degree robbery and a felony in connection with the incidents in Missouri.