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How to Earn the $10 Million Criminal Mastermind Bonus in Grand Theft Auto Online

Published in GTA Online Heists 4 mins read

The $10 million reward in Grand Theft Auto Online is achieved by completing specific, challenging criteria across all original Heists, known as the Criminal Mastermind challenge, rather than exclusively through the Diamond Casino Heist. While the Diamond Casino Heist offers substantial payouts, this particular $10 million bonus is tied to a distinct, more extensive series of challenges that predate the casino update.

Understanding the $10 Million Reward

This substantial one-time bonus of $10,000,000 is awarded for completing the ultimate challenge in the original GTA Online Heists. It's a testament to teamwork, precision, and resilience, requiring players to complete every original heist in a specific manner.

To qualify for the $10 million bonus, players must fulfill the following stringent conditions:

  • Complete ALL Heists: This refers to the original five Heists released with the Heists update:
    • The Fleeca Job
    • The Prison Break
    • Humane Labs Raid
    • Series A Funding
    • The Pacific Standard Job
  • Same People (Loyalty Challenge): All setup missions and final acts for every single heist must be completed with the exact same group of 2, 3, or 4 players. If even one person changes, the progress for this bonus resets.
  • Don't Lose Any Lives (Criminal Mastermind Challenge): No player in the crew can die at any point during any setup mission or final heist act. If a player dies, the entire progress for the $10 million bonus resets, and the team must start from The Fleeca Job again.
  • Play on Hard Difficulty: All heists and their respective setup missions must be played on the "Hard" difficulty setting.
  • Complete Elite Bonus Challenges for the Heist: In addition to the above, achieving the elite bonus challenges for the heists is also a mentioned requirement for this significant reward. These usually involve completing the heist finale under specific time limits, without damaging specific vehicles, or achieving high accuracy.

Breakdown of the Challenges

The $10 million bonus is a cumulative reward for completing three separate, difficult challenges simultaneously:

Challenge Name Requirement Reward (Individual)
All in Order Complete all Heists in order, including setup missions. $1,000,000
Loyalty Complete all Heists with the same crew of players. $1,000,000
Criminal Mastermind Complete all Heists in order, with the same crew, on Hard difficulty, and without anyone dying. $10,000,000

Note: The $10,000,000 for Criminal Mastermind is a one-time bonus paid out in addition to the regular heist payouts and the $1,000,000 for All in Order and Loyalty if you haven't received them separately yet.

Strategies for Success

Achieving the $10 million Criminal Mastermind bonus is one of the most demanding feats in GTA Online. Here are some critical strategies:

  1. Form a Reliable Team: This is paramount. You need a dedicated crew of friends who are skilled, patient, and committed to seeing the challenge through. Communication is key.
  2. Preparation is Key:
    • Max Out Stats: Ensure all players have maxed out their relevant stats, especially strength, shooting, and flying.
    • Armor & Snacks: Stock up on maximum body armor and snacks before every mission. Use them liberally to heal.
    • Weapon Loadout: Invest in fully upgraded weapons appropriate for each mission.
  3. Communication: Use voice chat constantly. Call out enemy positions, coordinate movements, and warn teammates of danger.
  4. Practice: If possible, practice difficult sections or entire heists individually before attempting them as part of the Criminal Mastermind run.
  5. Vehicle Choices: Opt for armored vehicles (e.g., Kuruma, Insurgent Pickup Custom) whenever possible for setup missions that involve combat.
  6. Patience and Caution: Do not rush. Take cover, eliminate threats methodically, and prioritize survival over speed. One death resets everything.
  7. Exploiting Mechanics (Carefully):
    • Quitting the Game: If a player dies during a mission, immediately quit the game (close application) before the game has a chance to save the death. This can prevent the challenge from resetting. Coordinate this with your team beforehand.
    • Internet Disconnect: Similarly, disconnecting your internet connection can achieve the same effect, though it's less recommended due to potential network issues.
  8. Designate a Leader: One player should take the lead in planning and guiding the team through each mission.

Distinction from the Diamond Casino Heist

While the Diamond Casino Heist offers impressive payouts (often ranging from $1.5 million to over $2.5 million for the crew, depending on the target and approach), it does not contribute to or directly award the $10 million Criminal Mastermind bonus. The Diamond Casino Heist has its own set of elite challenges and bonuses, but they are separate from the original Heists' overarching rewards.