Fake GTA 6 Crypto Scams Drain Wallets and Install Malware

Fake GTA 6 "early access" sites promise access to the game if you pay hundreds in cryptocurrency, but offer only malware instead.

Scammers and hackers have taken advantage of the hype around the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 and created convincing fake websites using AI to mimic Rockstar Games' official art. Malwarebytes described it as the "perfect bait" because of just how highly anticipated the game is.

They will ask for a payment in Bitcoin for "VIP Digital Access" or access to a beta build of the game. It's important to note there is no public beta for GTA 6.

Once you've sent the money, there's no recourse; cryptocurrency transactions can't be reversed. Once the money is sent, it's gone.

In many cases, there will be a page with a large "DOWNLOAD" button which might install potentially unwanted applications or in some cases malware.

NordVPN has identified several malware campaigns targeting Windows and Android users.

Malicious actors will create convincing clones of well-known piracy and repacking sites to serve malware disguised as GTA 6 to target Windows users. The malware looks like a legitimate game launcher, but when Setup.exe is launched, it abuses dynamic link library (DLL) side loading to load a malicious DLL file.

From there, the trojan can modify device memory, download additional malware, and connect to external servers to exfiltrate data off your computer.

Another example is a fake GTA 6 APK titled "GTA 6 Mobile." In reality, the app is just an empty Unity project with a fake "Download OBB" link that, when clicked, takes you to a domain that's documented as having a history of serving info stealer malware, trojans, adware, and ransomware.

Fake Rockstar Social Club login screens designed to phish your account login details have also been spotted, promising exclusive content and offers for the game. Once you enter your details, they will be sold on the dark web.

These sites also tend to distribute malware as well.

To stay safe from scams and malware, it's recommended to always stick to official sources for game downloads. Rockstar's official site is where you can get any updates about the real game.

Avoid piracy and repacking websites as they're common vectors for malware.

And, of course, always install the latest security updates for your operating system.