As the June 25 pre-order opening for Grand Theft Auto VI approached, fraudulent websites targeted fans eager to secure the highly anticipated game. Designed to mimic Rockstar Games’ visual style, the sites promised exclusive “VIP early access.” Malwarebytes researchers say the offers are scams: buyers may be promised a console-unlock code or an advance playable version, but receive nothing after paying.
Reported prices range from about $50 to nearly $1,000. Some sites ask for several hundred dollars in Bitcoin or Ethereum, while others accept Solana. Cryptocurrency transfers generally lack the chargeback protections available with many card payments, making recovery difficult. A cybersecurity expert quoted by CBS News Miami warned that a fake installer can deliver malware instead of a game: “When the user installs it, unfortunately, it turns out to be malware or a virus, giving scammers a way of stealing personal information or even money.”
The risks can extend beyond the advertised purchase price. Some fraudulent pages reportedly prompt users to connect a Web3 wallet, then use malicious scripts to transfer digital assets if the victim approves the transaction. Other pages advertise fake downloads that can expose browser credentials and other data, including passwords and cookies, to information-stealing malware. Malwarebytes has also associated a GTA 6-themed demo with Vidar, a known information-stealing malware family.
The fraudulent platforms use familiar franchise imagery, fonts and color schemes to appear legitimate. Some display QR codes for quick payments and advertise supposed bonuses, such as merchandise from Mr. Beast or LEGO. Other pages claim buyers can play GTA 6 on PC, although the announced launch platforms are PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. A purported PC executable, leaked demo or early-access installer is not an authorized release channel.
Pre-orders reportedly opened on June 25, 2026, with the Standard Edition listed at $79.99 and a digital-only Ultimate Edition at $99.99. The game is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026. The reported legitimate preload date is November 12, one week before launch. Preloading lets eligible customers download the game ahead of release, not play it months early. Rockstar Games has announced no paid VIP early-access program.
Malwarebytes and cybersecurity experts advise buying through Rockstar Games or an established retailer, while avoiding cryptocurrency payments and wallet-connection requests. A cybersecurity source quoted by CBS News Miami put it plainly: “His advice was to buy from Rockstar Games or a known store and pay by credit card.” Fake pages that imitate the franchise and demand crypto, while promising months of advance access, combine payment fraud with the risk of malware and digital-asset theft.
These scams exploit the intense anticipation surrounding GTA 6, with millions of players worldwide awaiting its release. The pattern echoes opportunism around other high-profile events, when fan excitement and online speculation can create openings for bad actors. The return of the Brno circuit to MotoGP after a long hiatus, for example, generated similar waves of online speculation, as discussed in this recent report on major sporting event disruptions.
Rockstar Games controls the official release and purchase channels for GTA 6. Fans should use those channels or established retailers, and avoid crypto payments or unexpected wallet-connection requests. Any offer claiming to provide a playable version months before the November 19 launch should be treated as fraudulent.
