The hacker behind the infamous 2022 GTA 6 breach is back in the headlines, and this time the story sounds almost unreal. According to recent reports circulating online, Arion Kurtaj has allegedly been messaging people from inside custody using a smuggled phone, where he reportedly claimed that GTA 6’s source code is already “out there somewhere” and expressed surprise that it still has not surfaced publicly. At the time of writing, that newer claim appears to be based on leaked private messages shared online and has not been independently confirmed by Rockstar Games or law enforcement.
What is confirmed is that Kurtaj was the teenager tied to the massive Rockstar breach that exposed early Grand Theft Auto VI footage back in 2022. The court reports established that prosecutors said he hacked Rockstar Games, threatened to release source code, and helped trigger one of the biggest gaming leaks in recent memory.
The GTA 6 hack controversy
Even years later, the original GTA 6 leak remains one of the most talked-about security breaches in gaming. This was not just a few screenshots slipping out early. More than 90 clips of pre-release footage spread online and instantly turned Rockstar’s internal development process into a public conversation. It gave fans an early look at a game the studio had not formally revealed yet, and it forced Rockstar into damage control long before it was ready.
That alone would have been enough to make the incident historic. But what made it even more shocking was how the breach reportedly happened. Court coverage said Kurtaj carried out parts of his cyber activity while under restrictions, using an Amazon Fire Stick, a hotel TV, and a mobile phone after his laptop had been confiscated. That detail made the case feel less like a standard data breach and more like something pulled from a thriller script.
The new source code claim is alarming, but still unverified
The newest twist is what has people nervous all over again. Reports published on Monday, March 9, 2026, say alleged messages from Kurtaj suggest GTA 6 source code may already be in someone else’s hands. In those reported chats, he is said to have been surprised that the code had not leaked publicly yet. That is the kind of claim that instantly spreads because it taps into every fan’s fear surrounding a game this massive.
Still, there is an important line between a viral claim and a confirmed fact. Right now, there is no public evidence from Rockstar, Take Two, UK authorities, or a court filing showing that GTA 6’s full source code has surfaced. There is also no public confirmation that the alleged messages are authentic beyond the reports that summarized them. So while the story is explosive, it should still be treated carefully until stronger evidence appears.
The court record is already established about Rockstar’s case
The broader case itself is not in dispute. Reuters reported in 2023 that prosecutors told a London court Kurtaj hacked Uber and Revolut before targeting Rockstar Games, where he allegedly sent a message to all Rockstar staff threatening to release the sequel’s source code unless the company contacted him on Telegram. Rockstar apparently spent about $5 million recovering from the hack, along with thousands of hours of staff time.
That context matters because it shows why any new source code rumor immediately gets attention. This is not some random person claiming to have insider access. This is someone who, according to court findings, was already linked to one of the most damaging leaks in modern gaming. The Record also reported that the judge considered him a continued risk, which is part of why he received an indefinite hospital order after being deemed unfit to stand trial.
It is easy to jump from “the source code is allegedly out there” to “a massive GTA 6 leak is imminent,” but those are not the same thing. Even if fragments, backups, or internal builds exist somewhere outside Rockstar, that does not automatically mean they are complete, usable, or about to go public. Development has also continued for years since the 2022 breach, which means older code may not fully reflect the current state of the game. This is an inference based on the timeline of the breach and the time that has passed since then, not a publicly confirmed Rockstar statement.
Rockstar’s silence is not surprising
So far, Rockstar has not publicly commented on the latest report. That is not unusual. Companies almost never validate fresh leak chatter unless they absolutely have to, especially when the claims are tied to unverified private messages. From Rockstar’s point of view, responding could amplify the story more than ignoring it.
That means the conversation will probably stay where gaming discourse loves to live: somewhere between real court history, half-verified online screenshots, and a community that is always one rumor away from total chaos.
The original GTA 6 hack was real, serious, and hugely expensive for Rockstar. The new claim that the source code is already out there somewhere is much less certain, even if it is grabbing attention for obvious reasons. Right now, the confirmed part of this story is the past. The newest part is still a report, not proof.
That probably will not stop the rumor mill. This is GTA 6, after all. Every whisper becomes a headline. But until something concrete surfaces, this is one of those stories that is better read with caution than panic.
