Apparently, Mexican drug cartels have been using games like GTA Online as a real-life recruiting tool to recruit drug mules. According to Forbes reports , Mexican police first made claims about using the game as a recruitment tool last year, and now the outlet has uncovered a specific case related to the game. Alyssa Navarro was reportedly contacted last January by a cartel member while she was gambling, before moving on to Snap Chat and eventually an in-person meeting. Navarro was arrested by the Arizona Customs and Border Protection Office in November, when she was found in a Jeep Cherokee loaded with 60 kg of methamphetamine.
Navarro’s contact reportedly offered him up to $2,000 for each ride, as well as the use of a vehicle. The Forbes report appears to imply that Navarro was under the impression that he was transporting electronics, rather than drugs. The methamphetamine was discovered in the car’s fuel tank. The United States Department of Justice charged Navarro with conspiracy to import and sell methamphetamine and possession. She pleaded not guilty.
At this time, it’s unclear if there have been any similar cases specifically related to GTA Online , but it certainly seems plausible that others may have been recruited through the game. Forbes reports point to other online games that have been used for this purpose, including GTA V and Free Kick . If this becomes more common, it’s unclear if developers will look at ways to prevent it from happening in their online games, or if there are even specific steps that can be taken. At the end of the day, players will need to be careful about their own interactions and take steps to report those who try to use these games for illicit purposes.