Rumor: ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ Hacker Sold Source Code For ‘Grand Theft Auto V,’ Others Looking To Sell It On

Ryan Pearson |

Sep 29, 2022

Source: Grand Theft Auto Online (2013), Rockstar Games

Online rumors claim the Grand Theft Auto VI hacker has sold the source code for Grand Theft Auto V, and others are looking to sell it on.

After early development footage of Grand Theft Auto VI was leaked online, “Teapotuberhacker” also also claimed responsibility for the Uber hack earlier this month. Following our initial report, UK authorities have arrested and charged a 17 year old suspect over two counts of breach of bail conditions, and two counts of computer misuse.

In court, the youth was accused of hacking companies and “holding them to ransom” by prosecutors. The poster of the Grand Theft Auto VI leaks had asked any potential Rockstar Games or Take Two Interactive employees to contact them via their corporate email address, as they were “looking to make a deal.”

The suspect pleaded not guilty to computer misuse, and the trial will be referred to a higher court. U.S. federal law enforcement had worked with UK police, finding similarities in the hack against Uber and Rockstar Games, along with attacks on Microsoft, Okta and Nvidia over the last two years. Two other people were reportedly involved in the hacks on Uber and Rockstar Games, and arrests are reportedly expected.

Things may have already escalated, however. “Ja77Guy11” of r/GamingLeaksAndRumours claims “Apparently the GTA 6 leaker sold the GTA V source code through a telegram group before getting arrested, according to the admin who verifies the buyer’s claim, uploads a new screenshot of the source code.”

“Obviously can’t post group link,” Ja77Guy11 prefaced, “but the admin of the group that the GTA 6 leaker Teapot solely used to communicate verified that on the day of the GTAForums post, he had sold the GTA 5 source code to another member of the group, who shared a new screenshot of the source code as proof. The buyer has reportedly put the source code on sale, per the admin who shared his telegram @.”

The screenshot shows “Phil” allegedly discussing the Grand Theft Auto 5 source code sale from a Telegram user, who’s username is redacted. Under the “GTA Leak Discussion,” Phil shows a (censored) screenshot of what should be Grand Theft Auto 5‘s source code.

Promo art for Grand Theft Auto V, Rockstar Games

They state “GTA 5 Source Code to sell, only serious offers to: @[redacted]- he bought the source code from teapot on the first day. He is the one I said bought the source code from tea pot,” Phil reiterates, “he has all the proof, I verified even asked him specific files.”

Phil quotes a Deleted Accounts post, stating “All source code and assets for GTA 5 are available. Along with GTA…” Ja77Guy11 insists “Teapot” is the “Deleted Account,” the same hacker who posted on the GTA Forums.

“This group is the only group where the leaker talked, and he used it to sell gta 5 source code,” Phil insists, “as you can see in the message I’m replying to, that’s why it was easy to find someone who bought it.”

“The leaker made sure to sell it before getting arrested, and it seems this is one of the only people who managed to buy it from Tea Pot,” Phil proposes. “And should my group not be enough credibility for you, I don’t ask you to trust me, VERIFY! @[redacted] can prove it, and thanks to him, the gta 5 source code is still for sale.”

If the alleged screenshot is true, this would be devastating for Rockstar Games. Grand Theft Auto Online, the online component of Grand Theft Auto V which shares the same source code, made $911 million a year as of 2021, and just over $2.5 million a day.

If the source code is exposed, hackers could exploit not just multiplayer matches in Grand Theft Auto V, but Grand Theft Auto Online could be subjected to cheaters, hackers, DDoS attacks, and more. What happens next depends if the source code is genuine, sold on, or even shared publicly.