There's very little doubt that Grand Theft Auto Online is one of the more popular games despite how long it's been on the market. Unfortunately, it appears that some criminal organizations are taking advantage of GTA Online's popularity to actually add to their ranks.
One of the draws for many of Grand Theft Auto Online players is that people get to commit all kinds of virtual crimes from the safety and security of their living rooms. There are new missions and heists being added all the time and people can even take on the role of a gang or mob enforcer if they decide that's what they want to do with their character. However, it appears that some drug cartels have seized on the popularity of the title to convince people to commit real crimes.
In a new report by Forbes, the United States has opened a criminal case that found evidence that Mexican drug cartels are using Grand Theft Auto Online to recruit young people to carry out very real crimes. This evidence was found after earlier reports by Mexican police that gangs were using various online games to recruit, though they didn't have hard evidence. In other words, it appears this practice is more prevalent than first thought.
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United States authorities discovered the issue when border patrol arrested a young woman named Alyssa Navarro for transporting more than 60kg of methamphetamine. After she was detained she admitted that she had been recruited by a man she met in the ultra-popular GTA Online who called himself “George." After the two talked online they eventually met in person and "George" convinced Alyssa to become a "runner," and offered her as much as $2,000 a week.
GTA Online isn't the only online game that is reportedly being used to recruit young people to work for crime cartels. In December, Mexican authorities reported they apprehended three young boys who had been recruited by cartel members playing the popular mobile battle royal game Free Fire. The boys were allegedly promised $200 a week to work as "lookouts."
It is not yet known just how often this kind of thing is going on using popular online multiplayer games, but it's apparent that law enforcement believes it's a growing problem, and games that involve fake crime as a way to lay the groundwork are among the most popular avenues. Considering that GTA Online is expected to get its Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 upgrade later this year, it seems likely the game is going to stay popular, potentially increasing the odds it will continue to be a recruitment tool.
Grand Theft Auto Online is currently available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One platforms, with its next-gen version set to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series consoles in March 2022.
Source: Forbes