We don't think that video games are a bad influence. There are no credible studies that link video games with violence and other nefarious behavior. However, just like everything else, video games can be used for unintended, bad things. Case in point, real-life members of Mexican cartels appear to have recruited at least one drug runner using Grand Theft Auto Online.
Grand Theft Auto Online is a game that's known for many things, but you still don't expect criminals to use it (or any other game for that matter) to find lackeys. However, according to Forbes, this is exactly what happened last November. The report states that the Customs and Border Protection officials pulled over a certain Alyssa Navarro while she was driving a Jeep Cherokee in Arizona. While searching Navarro's vehicle, the authorities found nearly 60kg of methamphetamine inside. When questioned, Navarro revealed that she'd gotten her drugs from a man she met on GTA Online.
Navarro explained that she played GTA Online with "George", after which they exchanged Snapchat information. The two later met up in Phoenix where George offered Navarro $2,000 to transport electronic items in a Jeep from Arizona to Mexico. Navarro added that George offered to pay her more depending on how much she was carrying. George then instructed Navarro to meet up with an individual she referred to as Alfredo, who would load up the vehicle's fuel tank with drugs.