Some Grand Theft Auto Online players are receiving messages supposedly sent by Rockstar Games. The messages state that the next Grand Theft Auto game will release in 2019.

The messages appear in both online and solo missions within Grand Theft Auto Online and are likely the result of a person or a group exploiting the game's poor netcode and security to pull pranks on innocent players.

According to a recent statement, the messages are not an official statement but are instead sent out by pranksters using a security hole within the game.

Messages have been appearing randomly since June 27, 2018, and vary in style and writing. One variant includes a Rockstar Games logo while others simply contain text.

It isn't the first time that the game's online services were compromised. Right after the release of the game hackers were already able to take control of characters and spawn free money, vehicles and objects. The game's security issues were never completely fixed.