Getting unlimited money in GTA 5 is easier than most players think — whether you're playing Story Mode and want a quick boost, or grinding GTA Online for the most expensive cars and properties in Los Santos. This guide covers every legitimate method: the Story Mode phone cheat, the Lester assassination stock-market exploit, heist replays, CEO and VIP work, the Cayo Perico Heist, and Shark Cards.
Before you start
GTA 5 has two separate economies: Story Mode (offline, single-player) and GTA Online (multiplayer). Cheat codes work only in Story Mode; they are completely disabled in GTA Online. The best "unlimited money" methods for Online involve repeatable activities — heists, CEO work, and the Cayo Perico Heist — that you can run as many times as you want. Pick the section below that matches where you're playing.
How to get unlimited money in GTA 5
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Step 1: Use the Story Mode Money Cheat
In Story Mode only, you can call a cheat number on your in-game phone to receive $500 instantly. Open the character's phone, go to Contacts, then dial 1-999-3328-4227 (spells RICHMAN). The call deposits $500 — repeat it as many times as you like for a slow but consistent income boost. On PC you can also open the cheat console with the tilde (~) key and enter Rockstar's built-in cheat codes for other bonuses (weapons, health, vehicles). Keep in mind that activating any cheat in Story Mode disables Achievements/Trophies for that session, so save first if you care about them.
Open the in-game phone in Story Mode and dial the RICHMAN cheat number to receive cash instantly. -
Step 2: Exploit the Lester Assassination Missions and Stock Market
This is the single most powerful money-making method in Story Mode and can earn you hundreds of millions of dollars. Before accepting each of Lester's assassination story missions, invest all three protagonists' full bank balances into the stock tip he hints at on the BAWSAQ or LCN exchange. Complete the mission, then sell your shares as soon as the target stock peaks (usually within a few in-game hours — sleep to advance time). The Hotel Assassination mission unlocks first; save the remaining four until after the main story so you have more capital to invest. Done correctly, all three characters can walk away with $200–$400 million each.
Invest all your cash in the right stock, complete the assassination, then sell at the peak for massive returns. -
Step 3: Replay Heists for Big Payouts (GTA Online)
GTA Online's classic heists — especially the Pacific Standard Job — remain one of the most profitable repeatable activities in the game. Running Pacific Standard on Hard difficulty with a four-player crew pays up to $500,000 for the host plus bonuses for completing the Elite Challenge (all lives intact, under the time limit). The Fleeca Job and Humane Labs Raid are also worth running for their first-time completion bonuses. Heists can be replayed indefinitely; form a reliable crew and use voice chat to coordinate for the fastest runs.
The Pacific Standard Job on Hard pays up to $500k per run — the Elite Challenge bonus adds another $100k. -
Step 4: Grind CEO and VIP Work in GTA Online
Registering as a VIP (requires $50,000 in your bank) or becoming a CEO (requires purchasing an Executive Office for around $1 million) unlocks a range of repeatable paid missions. VIP Work such as Headhunter and Hostile Takeover pays $20,000–$50,000 per mission with no cooldown between different job types. Combine this with Import/Export car sales (stealing and delivering high-end vehicles earns $80,000–$100,000 each) for a consistent $300,000–$500,000 per hour. Setting up a Nightclub adds a passive income stream that accumulates even while you run other jobs. For the safest grinding environment, play in a solo public session.
Chain VIP Work missions with car exports for $300k–$500k per hour in GTA Online. -
Step 5: Run the Cayo Perico Heist Solo or with a Full Crew
The Cayo Perico Heist is widely considered the best money-making activity in GTA Online because it can be completed entirely solo, has a short cooldown (one in-game day — about 48 real-world minutes after first completion), and pays enormous amounts. The primary target is usually a collectible item ranging from the Madrazo Files (around $1.1 million) up to the Panther Statue (around $2.09 million on Hard). Pack secondary loot — gold is the most valuable and fills bags quickly — to push the total even higher. Prep the heist by purchasing the Kosatka submarine from Warstock Cache & Carry, then speak to Miguel Madrazo at The Music Locker in the Diamond Casino basement to start the setup missions.
The Cayo Perico Heist pays up to $2M+ per run and is the only major heist you can complete completely solo. -
Step 6: Buy Shark Cards (Official GTA Online Method)
If you want to skip the grind entirely, Rockstar's official solution is Shark Cards — real-money purchases that deposit in-game GTA$ directly into your Online wallet. Cards range from the Bull Shark ($500,000 for $4.99) up to the Megalodon Shark ($8,000,000 for $39.99). Shark Cards work only in GTA Online; they cannot be used in Story Mode. Watch for Rockstar's periodic sale events — discounts of 25–40% are common around major holidays and game anniversaries — to get considerably more GTA$ for your money. Purchase them through the Rockstar Games Store or directly from the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, or Steam.
Shark Cards are the official way to add GTA$ instantly in Online — wait for a holiday sale for the best value.
Extra tips for earning money faster
- Double money events. Rockstar regularly runs Double GTA$ & RP weeks on specific missions, heists, or business types. Check the Rockstar Newswire every Thursday for the latest promotions before deciding what to grind.
- Passive businesses. Once you can afford them, a Bunker (for weapons manufacturing) and an MC Cocaine Lockup generate GTA$ passively while you play other content. Check in and sell before the product caps out.
- Solo public sessions. Rivals can destroy your cargo and vehicles in a public lobby. To create a safer environment on console, disconnect your internet briefly to become lobby host, then reconnect — other players typically don't join a session that has been running for a while.
- Story Mode stock order. For maximum profit from Lester's missions, the recommended assassination order is: Hotel (forced, early in story), then Redwood, Construction, Vice Squad, and Bus Assassination after the story ends.
- Don't spend Story Mode money early. Properties purchased in Story Mode are generally not worth the cost compared to the returns from the stock market trick. Save your cash and invest it all before each assassination.
Troubleshooting
The phone cheat isn't working in GTA Online
Money cheat codes are disabled in GTA Online by design — they only work in Story Mode. Switch to single-player (pause menu > Online > Play GTA 5) to use them.
I invested in the wrong stock before the assassination
Save your game before each mission so you can reload if you pick the wrong exchange. Lester drops hints about which company to invest in, and you can also find detailed guides on community wikis that list the exact ticker symbols for each mission.
The Cayo Perico cooldown is still active
The cooldown is one in-game day (about 48 real-world minutes) measured from the start of the finale, not completion. Advance time by sleeping multiple times, or simply grind CEO work while you wait.
My Shark Card purchase didn't appear
GTA$ from Shark Cards is usually delivered within a few minutes of purchase, but can take up to 24 hours during high-traffic periods. Check the Rockstar Support site if the funds don't appear after 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a real unlimited money cheat in GTA 5?
There is no single-press "give unlimited money" cheat. The closest thing in Story Mode is the phone number 1-999-3328-4227, which gives $500 per call and can be repeated indefinitely. For truly unlimited wealth, the Lester assassination stock market exploit is far more effective and gives hundreds of millions of dollars legitimately.
Can you get free money in GTA Online?
Yes — through grinding. VIP Work, the Cayo Perico Heist, and CEO activities all pay large sums of GTA$ that you earn through gameplay. Rockstar also occasionally sends login bonuses or promotional cash to players during events, so it's worth logging in during special promotions.
Does the stock market trick work in GTA Online?
No. The stock market (BAWSAQ and LCN) is tied to Story Mode only. GTA Online has its own economy with no stock exchange. All the money-making methods for Online involve missions, heists, and businesses.
What is the fastest way to make money in GTA Online?
The Cayo Perico Heist offers the best GTA$ per hour when run efficiently solo — typically around $900,000 per hour after accounting for cooldowns and setup time. Pairing it with passive businesses (Bunker, Nightclub) during downtime pushes overall earnings even higher.
Do money glitches work in GTA 5?
Rockstar patches glitches regularly, and using them risks a temporary or permanent ban in GTA Online. The methods in this guide are all legitimate and safe. The Cayo Perico Heist and CEO grinding are genuinely the fastest legal routes to wealth in Online.
Wrapping up
Getting unlimited money in GTA 5 comes down to picking the right method for your play style. In Story Mode, dial the RICHMAN cheat or — better yet — hold off on Lester's assassination missions until after you finish the story, then invest everything for a return of hundreds of millions. In GTA Online, the Cayo Perico Heist is your best friend for consistent multi-million-dollar payouts, and stacking CEO work between runs keeps the cash flowing. If you'd rather skip the grind entirely, Shark Cards are the official shortcut. For the latest weekly bonuses and events, keep an eye on the official Rockstar Newswire.
