Gaming enthusiasts have been waiting for Grand Theft Auto VI for over a decade since the last game came out in September 2013, and publisher Take-Two Interactive has sold 225 million copies of it since. This 13-year gap naturally has made fans desperate for any hint of the sequel, and cybercriminals know this very well. That’s why they are using the game’s massive hype to steal money and infect computers.

Security companies Malwarebytes and NordVPN just found a major wave of fake websites offering “VIP Early Access” to the game. These sites look highly professional. They use real GTA 6 logos and Vice City artwork to trick people. But it is entirely a trap.

This is not the first time hackers have used this trick. Back in 2024, Hackread.com reported that Bitdefender researchers caught scammers running fake Facebook ads that used leaked gameplay footage to lure users into downloading fake PC beta versions of Grand Theft Auto VI.

How the Crypto Trap Works

In order for fans to skip the line, the fake pages require buyers to pay around $250, but the hackers only accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDT.

Once a victim sends the digital currency and inputs their transaction ID to unlock the download, the money is gone. Because cryptocurrency payments have no chargeback process or fraud department, you cannot get your cash back. Victims click the large download button on the screen only to find out that no game actually exists.

PC and Android Players Face the Highest Risk

Rockstar Games states that GTA 6 will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S later this year, on 19 November, and although official pre-orders opened on 25 June, a release date for computers or mobile devices is yet to be announced. Scammers are targeting this missing PC version by offering fake beta keys and files.

However, instead of a game, these files install different types of malware. Downloading the fake files results in installing information-stealing malware, banking trojans, adware, or ransomware onto your device. Rockstar Games has confirmed that there’s no public beta programme available for the game.

The scam is particularly dangerous for PC and Android users right now. Gamers must protect themselves by using tools that block malicious sites and by ignoring any offer that claims to sell the game before November.