Warning: Virtual rape in Grand Theft Auto V is latest trend

Apparently committing crimes like stealing, murder and looting in games aren't enough for some gamers.

Now some players are turning to mayhem - raping other avatars in the extremely popular Grand Theft Auto (GTA) V video game.

The virtual rapists modify the game's system codes to allow their characters to do acts that they normally couldn't. Once they've coded their game, they get their avatars to rape others.

What's even more sickening: They then upload a video of the act on YouTube.

They create their characters and naked men, then target other players online who end up being victims.

A Reddit user with the name "mrerikmattila" says that as a victim, nothing can be done to stop the deed.

"Worse, when he's done, you are stuck doing strip dances."

Screen capture of a rape scene in GTA V. Photo: GTASAMPFlorida/ YouTube

This trend however, didn't start in GTA.

Video-game writer Kim Correa told TLDR, a radio show that airs on WNYC 93.9 FM, that her character was sexually assaulted online in a zombie game called DayZ.

Two armed men cornered her character, made her strip, killed her and simulated having sex with the body.

Disturbingly, the actual players were talking to her the entire time during the game.

"I definitely don't want to say what happened to me verbally is as important as if it had happened in real life," Correa later said. "But it means something. And I'm not sure what it means."

Sources: Huffington Post, YouTube