As a dedicated GTA player for years, I've seen it all—the hype, the glitches, the groundbreaking updates. But nothing quite compares to the whirlwind of hoaxes and wild rumors that have swirled around Grand Theft Auto V over the years. Even now, in 2025, with the game still going strong on new-gen consoles and GTA Online receiving regular updates, it's fascinating to look back at the sheer creativity (and sometimes, outright deception) of the community. We all got caught up in the excitement, desperately hoping some of these too-good-to-be-true stories were real. From secret jetpacks to entire lost cities, let me walk you through some of the most legendary hoaxes that had us all fooling ourselves.

10. The Phantom Q4 2012 Release Date

Remember the agony of waiting? Back in late 2012, a grainy screenshot started circulating that claimed to be an official retail document. It boldly stated GTA V was coming in the fourth quarter of that year. My friends and I were sharing it everywhere, our hopes sky-high. gta-v-hoaxes-and-rumors-the-wild-stories-we-actually-believed-image-0

The image looked legit at a glance, even mentioning a co-op mode. Of course, it was all a clever edit. The real release was still months away in September 2013. The disappointment was so widespread that major gaming news sites had to step in and officially debunk it. We learned our first lesson in GTA hype: trust nothing until you see it on Rockstar's Newswire.

9. The Mount Chiliad Jetpack Mystery

Ah, the jetpack. The crown jewel of San Andreas secrets. Its absence in GTA V was felt immediately. So, when rumors spread about a secret one hidden in a mysterious shed on Mount Chiliad, the entire player base made a pilgrimage. gta-v-hoaxes-and-rumors-the-wild-stories-we-actually-believed-image-1

I spent hours up there, searching every inch. All we found was a tram station. This birthed the infamous "Mount Chiliad Mystery," a complex web of theories around a mural that supposedly held the key. We decoded lines, followed cryptic clues, all for... a UFO. A cool Easter egg, but no jetpack. The community's dedication to this wild goose chase was, and still is, incredible.

8. The Elusive 'GTA: City of Paradise'

Late 2013 was a weird time. The game was out, but what was next? Then, "GTA: City of Paradise" appeared. Leaked assets from a supposed Bulgarian marketing firm called SocialEvo Network surfaced online. gta-v-hoaxes-and-rumors-the-wild-stories-we-actually-believed-image-2

The logo looked professional. Speculation ran rampant: Was it an expansion? GTA Online rebranded? Early GTA VI? It was a masterclass in trolling from 4Chan. "SocialEvo" wasn't real. The entire thing was fabricated to watch us scramble. It worked perfectly. 😅

7. The Enduring Dream of GTA V on Mobile

This one just won't die. Every few months, new "gameplay" videos or "screenshots" pop up showing GTA V running flawlessly on an Android phone. gta-v-hoaxes-and-rumors-the-wild-stories-we-actually-believed-image-3

With Rockstar's history of mobile ports for older titles, it's an easy trap to fall into. But let's be real—the hardware demands are immense. These hoaxes are often just fronts for phishing scams or malware. In 2025, with cloud gaming more viable, maybe it's less of a stretch, but back then? Pure fantasy.

6. Discovering the Lost City of Atlantis

This was a classic "mod masquerading as mystery." Someone released a video showing a stunning, fully-realized Atlantis hidden deep underwater off the coast. gta-v-hoaxes-and-rumors-the-wild-stories-we-actually-believed-image-4

The video claimed it was an official Easter egg. I remember convincing my console-playing friend to spend an entire weekend diving for it. He wasn't happy when I later admitted it was PC mod footage. It taught us to always check the source. If it looks too detailed to be a hidden asset, it probably is.

5. The Liberty City Expansion That Never Was

Oh, the hype in 2016! After a GTA Online update, rumors exploded about a massive single-player DLC returning us to Liberty City. "Leaked" screenshots showed Franklin being chased by cops in Algonquin. gta-v-hoaxes-and-rumors-the-wild-stories-we-actually-believed-image-5

They were convincing Photoshop jobs. Rockstar even unintentionally fueled the fire by promoting Liberty City for a mobile port of Liberty City Stories. Our hopes were dashed, but the modding community on PC eventually made it a (partial) reality. The lesson? Never underestimate the power of wishful thinking mixed with skilled photo editing.

4. The Dark Side: GTA Online Money Drop Scams

This wasn't just a harmless rumor; it was predatory. After the Casino update flooded the game with expensive items, scam artists flourished. They'd run fake live streams, promising to drop millions of in-game dollars on you in a private lobby. gta-v-hoaxes-and-rumors-the-wild-stories-we-actually-believed-image-6

The cost? Your real money, social media follows, or personal info. I saw so many new players get lured in by the promise of a quick shortcut. Rockstar cracked down, but these scams existed in a gray area outside the game. A harsh reminder that where there's virtual value, there will be real-world scammers.

3. The Malware "Beta Test" Emails

This one had real-world consequences. In early 2014, emails went out claiming the sender was selected to beta test the PC version. Attached was a "game code" ZIP file. gta-v-hoaxes-and-rumors-the-wild-stories-we-actually-believed-image-7

It was malware designed to hijack your computer. The desire to play early was so strong that people ignored basic security. Cybersecurity firms had to issue warnings. It was a sobering moment where a game hoax crossed the line into serious digital crime.

2. The Tragic (and Fake) Death of Steven Ogg

Celebrity death hoaxes are cruel. In 2020, a TikTok video claimed Steven Ogg, the iconic voice and face of Trevor, had died. The news spread like wildfire through the community. gta-v-hoaxes-and-rumors-the-wild-stories-we-actually-believed-image-8

It felt personal. Trevor is such a visceral character. Fact-checking sites quickly debunked it, and Ogg himself seemed to take it in stride with a philosophical Instagram post. It showed how deeply connected we feel to the actors behind these digital legends.

1. The Ultimate Tease: The Fake GTA VI In-Game Announcement

This was the big one. July 2018. A notification inside GTA Online itself appeared for many players, announcing GTA VI for 2019. It had Rockstar's signature style, even a link to their site. gta-v-hoaxes-and-rumors-the-wild-stories-we-actually-believed-image-9

The servers exploded. This wasn't a grainy screenshot—it was in our game! But it was a sophisticated hack using mods to broadcast the message. Rockstar's swift denial tweet was a bucket of cold water. It was the perfect storm: exploiting our deepest desire for a sequel within the very game we loved.

Looking back from 2025, these hoaxes are a testament to the incredible passion surrounding this game. They were born from our love for the world Rockstar built and our endless desire for more. While we're wiser now (and hopefully playing a real GTA VI by this point!), that era of wild speculation and communal detective work was a unique part of the GTA V experience. It reminded us that sometimes, the stories we create together outside the game can be just as engaging as the ones we play within it. Just remember to fact-check before you spend a weekend hunting for underwater cities! 😉