Epic Games has secured a legal victory over a gamer who was playing Fortnite using banned third-party software. The developers of one of the most famous battle royale games shared details of the lawsuit on their page on the social network X. The incident became further evidence of the studio’s consistent advocacy for fair gaming and transparency in the esports community.
Epic Games Sues Cheater: 839 Tournaments and $175,000 Fine
Sebastián Araújo participated in 839 minor regional Fortnite tournaments from June to October 2024, using cheats to ensure his victories. He managed to bypass anti-cheat protections with a specialized device, ultimately earning a total of $6,850. However, his luck ran out when he was caught, resulting in Epic Games will file a criminal lawsuit against him. The company sought $200 in damages for each tournament he entered, along with coverage for their legal expenses. In June 2025, the court found Araújo guilty and handed him a substantial fine of $175,000.
This incident is not the first time that Epic Games has pursued compensation from players who cheat during their tournaments. Back in February, the company compelled a former esports competitor, who was caught using prohibited software, to return all of his winnings and create a public apology video for YouTube. Actions like these demonstrate Epic Games’ commitment to fair play and a balanced competitive gaming environment, giving greater hope and protection that players will adhere to the rules that are set for all.
