Title: Teenagers from hacking group Lapsus$ target Rockstar Games and leak footage of GTA 6
Subtitle: Two digital bandits face sentencing for hacking Rockstar Games and other companies
by Ryan Dinsdale, IGN Freelance Reporter
Two teenagers belonging to the hacking group Lapsus$ have been found involved in a series of high-profile cyber attacks, including the targeting of renowned video game developer Rockstar Games. The group successfully leaked footage of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) game. The individuals involved in the hacking activities were identified as 18-year-old Arion Kurtaj from Oxford and a 17-year-old, whose identity has been withheld due to legal restrictions related to his age.
According to BBC reports, the group, described by the court as “digital bandits,” not only breached Rockstar Games’ security but also hacked into technology giants Nvidia and Uber. The court has scheduled the sentencing for both teenagers at a later date.
The investigation into Kurtaj’s activities took an unexpected turn when, after hacking Nvidia, his identity and location were exposed by rival hackers. As a result, the police relocated Kurtaj to a hotel for his own safety. However, it was during his stay in the hotel room, and in clear violation of his bail conditions, that he targeted Rockstar Games.
During the search of Kurtaj’s hotel room, City of London Police found evidence of his illegal activities. His hacking equipment included an Amazon Fire Stick connected to the hotel TV, as well as a smartphone, keyboard, and mouse.
Rockstar Games’ messaging service Slack was the target of Kurtaj’s most audacious hack, where he boldly declared, “I am not a Rockstar employee, I am an attacker.” Confirming the network intrusion, Rockstar Games admitted that nearly 100 different videos of the upcoming GTA 6 were shared online as a result.
CEO of Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, Strauss Zelnick expressed his disappointment regarding the leaks, stating, “We take leaks very seriously indeed and they disappoint all of us, it’s really frustrating and upsetting to the team.”
The leak has fueled even more anticipation among fans of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, who have been eagerly anticipating an official preview of GTA 6. Take-Two Interactive has hinted that the game could be launched as early as next year, adding to the excitement surrounding the popular video game series.
As the legal process continues, the hacking activities of Lapsus$ raise concerns about the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for robust security measures to protect sensitive information. The impact of these breaches extends beyond the affected companies, affecting both the gaming industry and dedicated fans.
Note: Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He is known for his deep knowledge and passion for The Witcher franchise.