Scammers are already cashing in on the hype around GTA 6
With the excitement around November’s release of Grand Theft Auto 6, there is a threat from scammers waiting to prey on impatient gamers with fake early-access downloads, cryptocurrency traps, and password-stealing malware.
Chris Mawson, founder of Power Up Gaming, gives advice on what to watch out for and how to avoid getting scammed.
There is no “public beta” or “early access” available
Rockstar has not announced any public beta or early access for GTA 6, so treat any link, message, or ad offering access to these as a scam.
Many scammers may use AI-generated graphics and Vice City styling to create convincing and premium-looking scam sites, exploiting gamers’ fear of missing out. There is no official demo, and any file downloaded is really an infostealer that can access your saved passwords, browser cookies, and other sensitive information.
Avoid cryptocurrency paywalls
Many sites have popped up offering access to GTA 6 builds, which are payable only by large cryptocurrency payments. These scams often offer “VIP digital access”, playing on gamers’ desire to be among the first to get exclusive access and feel like they are part of an elite group.
Some sites demand cryptocurrency payments, while others ask users to connect their wallets, using the promise of early access to disguise attempts to steal their funds. There are also fake GTA 6 sites using wallet-draining software, which can request permission to transfer cryptocurrency and other digital assets.
Gamers need to know that there is currently no game build available outside of Rockstar’s internal servers, and remember that cryptocurrency transactions are not reversible, meaning that once a scammer gets a payment, that money is gone forever.
PC and mobile players, beware
Because the official launch of the title is console-only (PS5 and Xbox Series X/S), those not on console are more vulnerable to manipulation, as scammers again prey on a fear of missing out.
Some users will likely be searching for a way to play on these platforms, so anything labelled as GTA 6 PC Build or GTA 6 Mobile Beta is a clear scam.
Watch out for fake installation files
Severe malware risks are hiding behind fake installation files. Hackers in the past have created ‘repack’ versions of popular titles, which enable games to be installed without needing a launcher. This is likely something that will happen with GTA 6 too.
If a fake installer includes something like “Setup.exe” and this is run, the file can use techniques like DLL sideloading. Once active, this can modify the computer’s memory and also install Trojans, ransomware, and password stealers.
Protect your credentials
Scammers have also created fake Rockstar Social Club login pages to prey on desperate GTA fans. These login pages usually look identical to the real thing and are designed to steal account details, which can be sold on the dark web or weaponised for in-game asset fraud.
One key warning sign is being asked to log into your Rockstar account through a link to “unlock” GTA 6 content. You should always verify the URL yourself before entering any passwords.
GTA 6 will only ever be sold through official platforms. Despite how tempting YouTube or TikTok giveaways may be, gamers should not engage with them, and they should make their community aware as well.