Alleged hacker arrested over leak that exposed GTA Online’s daily revenue
Dutch police arrested a 24-year-old Amsterdam resident on September 28 in connection with ShinyHunters, the hacking group allegedly responsible for breaching Rockstar Games and exposing confidential GTA Online revenue figures. The suspect, identified by Reuters as Pepijn van der Stap, works as an offensive cybersecurity lead at Neo Security in Amsterdam and has prior convictions for hacking-related offenses. According to the Dutch National Police statement, the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the data breach that occurred earlier in 2024. Van der Stap joined Neo Security only this year, despite his background in cybersecurity. The breach exposed sensitive financial data about GTA Online’s daily revenue—a significant security incident that has drawn attention from both law enforcement and the gaming industry. The case highlights ongoing concerns about data security in the gaming sector, particularly with live-service titles that handle substantial financial information. The investigation involves coordination between Dutch authorities and international law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, which has been tracking ShinyHunters’ activities.