GTA VI Early Access Scams Hit Gamers with Malware and Crypto Traps

Gaming enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting Grand Theft Auto VI for over a decade since the last game's release in September 2013, and publisher Take-Two Interactive has sold a staggering 225 million copies of it since.

This 13-year gap has understandably created immense hype around the sequel, which cybercriminals are now exploiting to steal money and infect computers with malware. Fake websites offering 'VIP Early Access' to the game have been discovered by security companies Malwarebytes and NordVPN, featuring highly professional designs that use real GTA 6 logos and Vice City artwork to trick people.

The scam is not new; in 2024, Hackread.com reported on scammers running fake Facebook ads using leaked gameplay footage to lure users into downloading fake PC beta versions of Grand Theft Auto VI. The current wave targets gamers seeking early access to the game, with victims required to pay around $250 in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDT.

Once a victim sends the digital currency and inputs their transaction ID, the money is irretrievable due to the lack of chargeback process or fraud department. Those who click on the large download button are met with disappointment, there's no game to download. Rockstar Games has confirmed that there's no public beta program available for the game.

PC and Android players are particularly vulnerable, as scammers target this missing PC version by offering fake beta keys and files. Instead of a game, these files install malware such as information-stealing malware, banking trojans, adware, or ransomware onto your device. To protect themselves, gamers must use tools that block malicious sites and ignore any offer claiming to sell the game before November.