Cybercriminals are using demand for Grand Theft Auto VI to lure gamers to fake “VIP Early Access” websites that ask for about $250 in cryptocurrency and then deliver nothing or malware, according to a technical analysis by Malwarebytes.
KEY FACTS
- Scheme Fake sites offer early access, beta keys or subscriptions for GTA 6.
- Payment Victims are asked to pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum or USDT.
- Risk The downloads can install information-stealing malware, banking trojans, adware or ransomware.
- Platform focus PC and Android users are being targeted most heavily.
The sites use GTA 6 logos and Vice City artwork to look legitimate. Once a user sends cryptocurrency and enters a transaction ID, the money is lost and no game is delivered.
Rockstar Games has said there is no public beta programme for the game, while official pre-orders opened on June 25. The company says GTA 6 will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on 19 November, with no PC or mobile release date announced.
The report said this is not the first such campaign, noting a similar scam in 2024 that used leaked gameplay footage to promote fake beta downloads. The current wave is also designed to exploit the lack of an announced PC version.
WHY IT MATTERS
The scam shows how major game releases can be used to spread both payment fraud and malware. Players can reduce risk by avoiding unofficial downloads and by treating any offer of early access before release as suspicious.