Like millions of gamers worldwide, you've been waiting years for Grand Theft Auto VI. Now you've received an email inviting you to play a pre-release beta version to report bugs before the official launch. But this invitation is a scam, one of many preying on gamers eager for the next GTA chapter. Falling victim can lead to stolen personal data or bank details. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Gerald Kasulis, vice-president of global affairs at cybersecurity firm NordVPN, says criminals exploit gamers' urgency and curiosity. GTA VI is scheduled for release on 19 November after two delays.
"You're a gamer, you're waiting for the game, and you get an email that looks really official and polished; with the help of AI, scammers can actually mimic official websites really, really well," says Kasulis. "Then without really checking ... they just click on those things, believing they are official beta testing [invitations]."
NordVPN reports credible fake websites offering early access. Clicking links and sharing info can result in stolen login credentials for GTA's online platform or malware downloads.
"We need you to help us build Vice City," says one fraud site, referring to the game's metropolis. "Before GTA VI launches to the world, we're inviting a select group of players to experience the game early." Emails and fake sites tell players they're part of an exclusive group to identify glitches.
Some sites provide a "beta key" code for Xbox and PlayStation 5. In some cases, gamers are told to download software purporting to be the new game, once called GTA Mobile 6.
To access the game, players may be asked for personal details like name, address, date of birth, or existing online game login. This info can be sold. In one case, researchers found downloaded software contained malware allowing fraudsters to connect to the victim's computer, leading to theft of sensitive info like bank details, says Kasulis.
Some scams target PC and Android users, though no release plans for those platforms have been announced.
There is no legitimate beta testing program for GTA VI, so treat any early access offers with skepticism. Rely only on official outlets: Rockstar Games, PlayStation Store, or Xbox Marketplace. If you entered gaming passwords on a suspicious site, change them immediately. If you provided financial details, report to your bank and Report Fraud. Rockstar Games did not respond to a request for comment.