- By Prateek Levi
- Wed, 27 May 2026 02:13 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
GTA 6 Pre-Order: If there is something that the gaming industry and enthusiasts are looking forward to right now, it's the release of the one and only GTA VI/6, which would be Rockstar's latest title and arguably the biggest game yet. GTA 6 is being touted as the biggest thing the entertainment industry will see in the coming decade, as was mentioned by Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick in an interaction. Now as anticipation rises, GTA fans are scratching every surface and searching every nook and cranny for the slightest hint of anything new about the latest title, be it the rumoured and highly waited-for third trailer or its pre-order window, and this is exactly what scammers and hackers are capitalising on right now.
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Now as excitement rises, a latest press release from NordVPN's threat intelligence research unit, which has been shared via multiple game and tech reporting handles, lays down that multiple scams and malware campaigns are currently parading online looking for a chance to get their hands on fans and enthusiasts that are eagerly waiting for the game to come out, and as the frenzy for its preorder gains traction, the threat has become even more imminent, as this is by far the most anticipated gaming title of all time.
While Rockstar has announced when GTA VI will hit the shelves, with its release date falling on November 19, 2026, that is obviously considering no other major hiccups happen this time. Not much has been laid out by the developers yet, as far as what fans want is considered; what we have right now are two trailers and a few in-game screenshots. Also, the fact that this title will be released 13 years after the previously released GTA V means fans are definitely not able to hold their horses, and I get the enthusiasm here as a gamer myself, and cybercriminals are exactly on the lookout for this urgency.
"GTA VI is one of the most anticipated releases in gaming history, and that level of public excitement is precisely what criminals look for," says NordVPN CTO Marijus Briedis.
Fake GTA VI Websites On The Rise
As it was found out by NordVPN and its researchers, fake GTA 6 websites are rolling out now, and these websites are offering beta access keys for PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. Users are being prompted to fill out a form and go through a fake verification process, and in the end users are being asked to pay for a subscription or download a scrupulous link.
Image Credits: NordVPN
Rockstar has not announced any public beta yet, and it must be noted by its fans and enthusiasts alike; it is still in the pipeline and might be closer than we think, but it's not out yet. Cybercriminals are using this opportunity to drain your finances, as there is nothing real that is on offer.
Known Piracy Websites Take A Hit Too
It's not just unscrupulous newly brewed websites but also piracy handles that users have trust in, like FitGirl, DODI and ElAmigos, that are being cloned to extract financial and other information from users falling prey to them. NordVPN has said that it has detected an instance of a "malicious package" on one of these clones which "presented itself as a legitimate game installer". But what lurks inside is a Trojanised file under the NVIDIA graphics driver component. This trojan, if it enters your system, can spread and gain control of your files, download other malware and send your info via connecting through a server where cybercriminals are sitting and can manipulate your system.
Android Apps Also Targeted
According to NordVPN, this is not just limited to cloning of trusted piracy handles and fake websites but is also showing up on Android apps; a fake Android app currently circulating is called "GTA 6 Beta". This app runs full-screen ads and then starts redirecting users to external pages that prompt them to subscribe to paid services or download malware, which are laid out via fake human verification steps. This could lead you to banking trojans and various ransomware.
Image Credits: NordVPN
Phishing Attempts
According to NordVPN, cybercriminals are also relying on simpler phishing tactics to target Rockstar Social Club users. The company said it identified hundreds of fake login pages designed to steal account credentials, with many of these sites being hosted on trusted platforms like GitHub and Vercel to avoid raising suspicion and bypass basic security checks.
NordVPN noted that stolen accounts could later be sold on dark web marketplaces or misused for in-game scams and fraudulent activity. The report also warned that several of these phishing pages double as malware traps, using fake download links and promises of exclusive GTA VI-related content to spread adware, infostealers, and trojan malware.
Why Is The Frenzy Of Pre-orders So High?
Earlier a tweet from a famous PlayStation leaker, PlayStation Game Size, had surfaced that suggested that title IDs for GTA VI have been added to PlayStation's database, with the account claiming soon we could see some news from the developers on the game, which they expect to be in an early pre-order window. This post did not confirm anything, but the leaker has a proven track record when it comes to such news.
Grand Theft Auto VI title IDs have been added to the PlayStation database.
— PlayStation Game Size (@PlaystationSize) March 1, 2026
I expect we’ll see something about the game soon, probably the start of pre-orders. pic.twitter.com/PBda1Jvr5p
In comments, users have commented on when to expect the pre-order. The account said, "It completely depends on the publisher, and it's not something I know for sure. "But I don't think there's going to be a long wait. " The mere prospect of the game arriving sent the internet into a frenzy and is big news for fans and enthusiasts. And this is not the only instance prompting this frenzy.
How to Stay Safe?
While GTA VI/6's launch is destined for November 19, 2026, we must remain cautious of unscrupulous activities taking place in its name, as cybercriminals are going to amp up their efforts to reach you. Even Rockstar Games got hacked by ShinyHunters recently, so it seems no one is really safe in this domain, so exercising precaution remains the topmost priority till official information is out.
According to NordVPN's CTO, people should avoid downloading anything from third-party links for any game-related content, as official files will come directly on authorised fronts like the PlayStation Store or Xbox Marketplace or Rockstar's own page.
Any unofficial site is a red flag, so don't even think of going forward with it, as no official confirmation for a beta key is out, so treat it as a fraud, and its information will come from official sources only. Don't fall for sites asking for verification of identity, and subscription to any service must be treated with scepticism. Check fraud URLs carefully, and no official source will lead you to a third-party site for sign-in.