Scammers in Russia are cashing in on the hype around GTA VI with a slew of fake websites designed to steal money and personal data. According to Kaspersky Lab researchers, the fraudsters run several schemes-from bogus preorders to fake beta testing sign-ups targeting players in CIS countries-exploiting gamers’ eagerness to access the hottest game early.
One scam poses as a recruitment drive for a closed beta test. Researchers uncovered a Russian-language site promising early access to ”active gamers” in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Victims are then lured into private Telegram channels where they risk handing over payment info, personal details, or account credentials.
The second scheme involves blatant fake preorder pages that mimic official GTA VI promo sites. They recycle trailers, display age ratings, and even fabricate positive reviews. Users clicking the purchase button enter payment details-but the game never arrives. Scammers walk away with credit card info and, often, stolen money.
A third trap revolves around a so-called ”GTA VI beta.” These sites gain traction via social media and video platforms, showing supposedly safe file installations backed by fake, glowing comments like ”works perfectly.” In reality, downloading these files could infect devices with malware. Kaspersky also flagged a crypto scam where victims are urged to buy GTA-themed tokens and send $250 or more in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins for non-existent early access.
Why GTA VI? The game’s first trailer racked up tens of millions of views within a day, and GTA V has sold over 200 million copies since release. This makes the franchise a prime target with a vast and emotionally invested audience ready to preorder. Similar scams have appeared around major releases like Hogwarts Legacy and Cyberpunk 2077, but the reach here is noticeably larger.
Kaspersky Lab advises gamers to buy GTA VI only from official sources, double-check website URLs before making payments, and ignore any ”beta” or ”early access” offers not confirmed by the publisher. Using a separate card with limited funds or payment services not linked to primary accounts can help reduce risks. Enabling multi-factor authentication is vital, as phishing attacks during game launches often target not just wallets but also messenger and store accounts.
Given the growing sophistication of scammers riding the wave of high-profile game launches, vigilance is your best defense. Watch closely for any new fake schemes as GTA VI moves closer to release, especially those leveraging social platforms where misinformation spreads fastest.