Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the excitement surrounding the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI by distributing fake downloads and early access schemes. Researchers have discovered malware-laced downloads purporting to be GTA VI installers, which include infostealers and remote-access trojans.
Security experts anticipate a rise in scams related to GTA VI as the release date of November 19, 2026, approaches and during the holiday shopping season. Rockstar Games has not announced any PC version, beta, or early-access program for the game, which has led to increased vulnerability to these scams.
Pre-orders for GTA VI began on June 25, 2026, with players able to pre-load the game since November 10, 2026. Despite the official channels, cybercriminals continue to lure users with fake offers mimicking Rockstar's marketing.
The entity known as CyberLeek has been linked to the release of alleged stolen GTA VI material, including gameplay videos and a map. CyberLeek has also launched a cryptocurrency, $CYBERLEEK, used in a token-based voting system related to the leaks.
Financial activity linked to CyberLeek has been identified by BitOK, with transactions totaling approximately $225,000. This highlights the financial motivations behind the ongoing cyber activities surrounding the game's release.