Malicious files disguised as a leaked, playable build of Grand Theft Auto 6 are circulating on piracy and torrenting sites, but these downloads are actually malware and not a genuine copy of the unreleased Rockstar Games title. The scam has resurfaced amid renewed excitement following recent leaked gameplay footage from a source known as CyberLeek, with cybersecurity experts warning that such moments of heightened fan interest create ideal conditions for fake "leak" downloads and credential-harvesting scams to thrive.

According to Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN, these malicious downloads have been appearing throughout the year but have seen a resurgence as fans search unfamiliar sites, Discord links and unofficial mirrors for leaked content, making them vulnerable to attackers. While there is precedent for game builds leaking online, such as Insomniac Games' Marvel's Wolverine in 2023, there is no evidence a genuine GTA 6 build has been leaked. Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have not commented on the situation. Grand Theft Auto 6 is due to be officially unveiled on 27 August via Netflix and YouTube, ahead of its release on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 on 19 November.