GTA 6 Pre-Orders Hit by 'VIP Early Access' Scam, Bogus Bitcoin Demand Listed

Grand Theft Auto VI customers have been warned of a new scam going around, which claims to offer "GTA 6 early access".

A new scam has been spreading across the internet, which offers players a chance to play Grand Theft Auto VI earlier than its official release date of November 19, 2026.

As Malwarebytes reports, users are prompted to pay hundreds in cryptocurrency, enter a payment code, and supposedly obtain the game a whole five months before it comes out.

While it may seem obvious to some people, other users have been warned about falling for these types of scams that seem so innocuous on the surface.

"Any site claiming to sell GTA 6 early access is not authorised by Rockstar Games and should be treated as fraudulent unless Rockstar announces it through official channels," reads the report from Malwarebytes. "You pay, you get nothing, and because the payment is made in cryptocurrency, there’s usually no way to get your money back."

Websites offering early access to Grand Theft Auto VI may appear to be legitimate on the surface, as they're designed to be "premium and exclusive" with glamorous artwork that looks legitimate and features GTA VI logos all throughout.

These sites only accept payment via cryptocurrency due to their untraceable nature, with the example Malwarebytes examined accepting Bitcoin, Tether, and Ethereum.

Once payment is sent, victims are asked to wait for payment confirmation and then enter their transaction ID to unlock the game.

They soon receive QR codes, payment verification messages, and a large button that says "Download". Except, no game is ever actually received.

Read More: GTA 6's $100 Price Tag Debunked, But One Fact Remains True

Source: Malwarebytes

How To Stay Safe From GTA 6 Scams

Knowing the common signs of a scam will help to protect you from these schemes.

Websites which feature AI-generated artwork, feature inconsistent details, and ask for payment via cryptocurrency are incredibly likely to be fake, even if they do look professional.

If they're offering early access to the game, especially months before the game comes out, then that's also a surefire way to tell if something isn't legitimate.

Instead, potential Grand Theft Auto VI customers are recommended to stick to official pre-orders done through authorised retailers and storefronts.

This includes websites such as Amazon, Argos, or Smyths.

Buying a digital copy through the official PlayStation or Xbox stores will also ensure the purchase is legitimate.

Be also wary of any websites asking for payment in cryptocurrency instead of a credit card or PayPal, as these may also not be real.

If you're struggling to find a retailer which seems legitimate to you, you can get Grand Theft Auto VI news and updates directly from Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive.

As one final precaution, Malwarebytes recommends that you pause before sending money. "If an offer sounds like a way to skip the line, that’s exactly why scammers are using it," Malwarebytes states.