Grand Theft Auto Online has been a huge success for developer Rockstar, despite the major issues and bugs it initially experienced after release. Rockstar recently decided to temporarily take the mode offline so that the company could fix some lingering issues in the game and prevent some users from cheating in the game, and the developer looks to be specifically targeting in-game money hacks.

Rockstar took the Grand Theft Auto Online offline on Jan. 15, and announced on Rockstar Newswire that they will be using the time to remove counterfeit in-game cash from the game.

"In recent weeks, a small number of Grand Theft Auto Online players sought to exploit the game by generating and distributing game-breaking amounts of in-game cash, disrupting the experience for other players...We will continue to issue title updates on an ongoing basis to counter the negative impact this has had on gameplay, and as part of today's maintenance period, we are removing the counterfeit GTA$ from the game's economy. Anyone who innocently received GTA$ as a result of these exploits but did not engage in cheating to acquire it will not face any further action - the funds will just be removed, and you'll be able to keep any items you currently own," wrote Rockstar.

While people who received this counterfeit cash but did not cheat will be spared punishment, Rockstar announced that people who exploited loopholes in the game's economy will be subject to some stiff penalties up to and including being banned from the game.

"Those who actively engaged in cheating and exploiting the game in this manner will, however, be subject to in-game penalties at our discretion. This may include being placed in isolated cheater pools or banned from GTA Online altogether," Rockstar explained. 

The developer also took time to explain to players what to do if they encounter further cheating in Grand Theft Auto Online, specifically those who use exploits to flood the game with money.

"Should you ever encounter someone in GTA Online that appears to be taking advantage of exploits in your session, we ask that you alert us directly via the in-game reporting functionality. In the Pause menu, under the Online tab, select Players and scroll to the offending player. From there, select Report and choose Exploits from the violation options."

It will be interesting to see if Rockstar is able to curb the use of counterfeit money in Grand Theft Auto Online or if the cheaters are able to find new ways of making money illegally in the crime game.