Crypto scammers target World Cup fans with fake tickets

TRM Labs warned that crypto scammers are targeting fans of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with fake ticketing sites, fixed-match betting offers and event-branded crypto promotions timed to the tournament.

The blockchain intelligence firm said it identified multiple World Cup–related scams, including two fraudulent ticket websites and a fixed-match betting pitch tied to four cryptocurrency addresses. The schemes also include token sales and giveaway-style promotions that ask users to send funds or connect wallets.

Ari Redbord, global head of policy at TRM Labs, warned: “Criminals always look to exploit major events and cultural moments and they don’t wait until kickoff. Scammers build and position their infrastructure weeks in advance, then scale it the moment public attention peaks.” He added that the on-chain nature of crypto payments can allow compliance teams and investigators to trace funds and intervene once activity is detected.

The tournament, hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, opened on Thursday. FIFA expects about 6.5 million attendees over the event and projects roughly $40.9 billion in global economic impact. That concentration of ticketing, travel and betting demand has been accompanied by warnings from authorities about spoofed domains that harvest personal data and sell counterfeit tickets and merchandise.

FIFA has cautioned that tickets purchased outside official channels may be invalid and subject to cancellation. Organizers report unsold inventory on official resale portals and some opening matches not listed as sold out, which has contributed to a secondary market that fraudsters can target.

Scammers create convincing storefronts, promote fixed-match claims that require crypto payments, and launch event-branded token offers that request transfers or wallet access. While blockchain records transactions publicly, victims who send cryptocurrency often face difficulty recovering funds. TRM Labs and law enforcement agencies say they are monitoring on-chain activity tied to World Cup themes and tracing funds associated with identified addresses.

Authorities and industry observers advise fans to use only official FIFA ticketing channels, check domain names carefully and be wary of offers that demand cryptocurrency or promise guaranteed match outcomes.