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‘Build Vice City’: the GTA 6 scam that’s hitting Grand Theft Auto fans

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6h ago · UK · primary source: theguardian.com

Multi-source synthesis by Vested from 2 sources. Every numeric and quoted claim traces to a cited source body (see methodology).

Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on 19 November, but cybersecurity firms warn that criminals are exploiting anticipation for the game with sophisticated pre-release scams.

The release date follows two postponements [1][2]. Gerald Kasulis, vice-president of global affairs at NordVPN, said fraudsters are using artificial intelligence to create polished emails and fake websites that mimic official Rockstar Games communications [1][2]. "With the help of AI, scammers can actually mimic official websites really, really well," Kasulis said [1][2].

Some fraudulent sites invite players to join an exclusive beta testing program, asking for personal details such as name, address, and date of birth to gain access [1][2]. That information can then be sold by criminals [1][2]. In one case examined by researchers, downloaded software contained malware that allowed fraudsters to connect to a victim's computer, potentially exposing bank details [1][2].

Some scams are targeting PC and Android users even though Rockstar Games has not announced plans for the game on those platforms [1][2]. NordVPN said there is no legitimate beta testing program for GTA VI, and urged gamers to rely only on official outlets such as the PlayStation Store or Xbox Marketplace for announcements [1][2]. Rockstar Games did not respond to a request for comment [1][2].

Sources cited (2)

  1. theguardian.com ↗ B
  2. theguardian.com ↗ B
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