GTA 6 Fans Warned Over Fake Beta Scams

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Cybersecurity experts have warned gamers over a wave of scams feeding on the wait for ‘GTA 6’, with fake sites and messages claiming to sell early access or ‘beta keys’ while seeking to steal cash and personal data.

The game is due for release on 19 November 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar has not announced a public beta, nor has it named PC or Android as launch platforms, making any offer of such access suspect.

Malwarebytes said some fake sites have been offering ‘early access’ or ‘VIP early access’ for hundreds of dollars, often through Bitcoin, Ethereum or USDT. Once paid, the money is hard to recover.

NordVPN has also found scams tied to the game, including fake beta keys, Android apps using ‘GTA 6’ names, phishing pages aimed at Rockstar Social Club accounts and copycat piracy sites carrying infected files for PC users.

Some of the pages and messages are built to look like Rockstar material. Players are asked to ‘help us build Vice City’ or test an early version of the game for bugs. Experts said AI tools have made such scams harder to spot, especially for keen fans and younger players.

The risk goes beyond lost money. Some pages ask for names, home addresses, dates of birth and gaming account logins. Others push users to download harmful files that can steal passwords and card details or give criminals remote access to a device.

NordVPN said stolen accounts could later be sold on dark web markets or used in further scams within gaming groups. It said some fake files may carry adware, data-stealing malware, banking trojans or ransomware.

Players have been told to ignore any offer claiming to provide a public beta or early access to ‘GTA 6’, and to avoid files from sites not run by Rockstar or approved platform stores, especially those aimed at PC or Android users. They have also been advised to check links before entering details and to use only Rockstar’s website and recognised platform stores.

Anyone who has already entered details should change passwords at once, switch on two-factor authentication, check bank accounts and contact their bank if payment details were shared. Those who paid in cryptocurrency are unlikely to recover their money.