Lester Crest can crash a government database while sipping cold coffee in his messy hideout, and that’s exactly why everyone in Los Santos calls him when things get tricky. In GTA 5, this master hacker is the secret key to making mountains of cash without firing a single extra bullet. His assassination missions aren’t just side quests – they’re your golden ticket to turning a few thousand dollars into billions, all by playing the stock market.
Meet Lester: Your Genius Partner in Crime

Lester Crest is the brains behind most of the big heists in GTA 5. He’s a wheelchair-using hacker who always has a plan. Besides helping with the main story, Lester calls Franklin with special assassination jobs.
Here’s the cool part:
- Every time you do one of these hits, the GTA 5 stock market reacts.
- If you buy the right shares before the mission and sell them after, you can earn crazy profits – way more than you get from regular robberies.
The Golden Rule: Timing Is Everything
This is the biggest trick everyone talks about:
Finish the main story first.
- Do only the first Lester mission (The Hotel Assassination) when the game asks.
- Leave the other four missions until after the final big heist.
Why? Because you’ll have a lot more cash at the end of the story.
More cash to invest = bigger profits from the stock market.
It’s like waiting to buy a huge pizza when you’re super hungry – you’ll enjoy it way more.
Complete List of Lester Assassination Missions

Below is every mission Franklin gets from Lester, with step-by-step stock tips.
The Hotel Assassination
- When to Play: Right after Lester calls early in the game (must complete to move forward).
- Target: A shady CEO staying at a hotel.
- Stock Trick:
- Before you start, invest all money (Franklin, Michael, Trevor) in Betta Pharmaceuticals (BET) on the BAWSAQ market.
- After the mission, wait about 1 in-game day until BET peaks around 80% gain, then sell.
- Before you start, invest all money (Franklin, Michael, Trevor) in Betta Pharmaceuticals (BET) on the BAWSAQ market.
This mission sets you up with enough starter cash for the rest of the game.
The Multi-Target Assassination
- When to Play: After the main story.
- Target: Four crooked jury members around the city.
- Stock Trick:
- Buy Debonaire (DEB) on the LCN exchange before you start.
- After the hit, sell DEB when it jumps (about 80% profit).
- Next, buy Redwood Cigarettes (RWC) while it’s cheap and hold until it climbs back – easy double profit.
- Buy Debonaire (DEB) on the LCN exchange before you start.
Vice Assassination
- When to Play: Post-story.
- Target: A businessman linked to a shady product.
- Stock Trick:
- Before you begin, invest in Fruit Computers (FRT) on BAWSAQ.
- Wait a couple of in-game days after the mission for a 50%–60% increase.
- Before you begin, invest in Fruit Computers (FRT) on BAWSAQ.
Bus Assassination
- When to Play: After story.
- Target: A guy riding a city bus route.
- Stock Trick:
- Once you finish the mission, buy Vapid (VAP) on BAWSAQ when it dips.
- Sleep or skip a few in-game days until it bounces back for up to 100% gain.
- Once you finish the mission, buy Vapid (VAP) on BAWSAQ when it dips.
Construction Assassination
- When to Play: Last of the lot.
- Target: A construction magnate.
- Stock Trick:
- Before starting, invest in GoldCoast (GCD) on the LCN market.
- After the mission, the stock skyrockets – often doubles.
- Before starting, invest in GoldCoast (GCD) on the LCN market.
This one alone can make you hundreds of millions if you invested your final heist money.
Also Read: GTA 5 Hidden Money Locations: Best Spots to Get Easy Cash
Extra Tips to Squeeze Every Dollar
Invest With All Three Characters
Franklin, Michael, and Trevor each have their own wallets. Switch to each one and buy the same stocks so everyone gets rich.
Save Before You Start
Make a quick-save before buying. If the stock doesn’t rise as high as you like, you can reload and try again.
Sleep to Speed Time
Stocks rise over in-game days. Use your character’s bed to skip time and check the market after each nap.
Don’t Panic Sell
Prices move up and down. Hold until you see the big spike you want – usually 1–3 in-game days.
Reinvest Profits
After each mission, put the profit back into the next stock. That’s how you turn millions into hundreds of millions.
How Much Money Can You Really Make?

Players who follow this strategy often walk away with $1–2 billion total spread across Franklin, Michael, and Trevor.
That’s more than enough to:
- Buy every high-end property
- Fill all garages with supercars
- Own planes, helicopters, and even a golf course
- Never worry about money again
Basically, you will own Los Santos.
Final Word
The Lester assassination missions aren’t just side quests – they’re the smartest investment in GTA 5. Finish the main story, stack your cash, follow the stock tips, and watch your characters go from small-time crooks to mega-rich legends.
So fire up your controller, answer Lester’s calls, and get ready to play the stock market like a pro. Your future billionaire lifestyle in Los Santos is just a few well-timed hits away.
FAQs
What are Lester’s assassination missions in GTA 5?
Lester’s assassination missions are a set of five side jobs given to Franklin. Each mission involves taking out a specific target, which causes certain companies’ stock prices to drop or rise. By investing in the right stocks before and after each hit, players can earn massive in-game profits.
How can I maximize stock market profits using Lester missions?
Complete only the first mission, The Hotel Assassination, early in the game to move the story forward. Save the other four missions until after the final big heist, when all three characters have the most money to invest. Before each mission, buy the suggested stocks for Franklin, Michael, and Trevor, and sell them when prices peak a few in-game days later.
How do I complete each Lester assassination mission efficiently?
Follow the target markers closely, use silenced weapons where possible, and plan a quick escape route. Quick-saving before you start lets you retry if anything goes wrong or if you want to adjust your stock strategy.
When do Lester’s missions become available in GTA 5?
The first mission, The Hotel Assassination, unlocks after the story mission “Fame or Shame.” Lester will call Franklin to set it up. The remaining four missions – Multi-Target, Vice, Bus, and Construction – become available one by one after completing the first.
Do Lester missions impact GTA 5 story progression or money-making?
Only the first assassination is required to advance the main storyline. The others are optional and don’t change the plot, but they’re the best way to earn billions of dollars through smart stock market investing.