TRM Labs has warned that cryptocurrency fraudsters are targeting FIFA World Cup fans through bogus ticketing sites, match-specific betting schemes and event-related cryptocurrency promotions.
Blockchain intelligence company he said identified several World Cup-related fraud operations, including two bogus ticket sites and one match-specific betting site linked to four crypto addresses.
“Criminals are always looking to take advantage of important events and cultural moments and don’t wait until they start,” Ari Redbord, global head of policy at TRM Labs, told Cointelegraph. “Fraudsters build and position their infrastructure weeks in advance, then scale it as public attention peaks.”
Redbord told Cointelegraph that the onchain nature of cryptocurrency payments allows investigators and compliance teams to act before losses mount.
The 2026 World Cup kicked off on Thursday with FIFA taking part expecting attendance of approximately 6.5 million fans throughout the tournament and an impact on global gross domestic product of approximately $40.9 billion, creating a immense pool of demand for tickets, travel and betting that fraudsters will be able to afford.
Promoting the impact of the 2026 World Cup. Source: FIFA
FIFA and FBI warn World Cup fans against bogus ticket scams
The World Cup is taking place in Canada, Mexico and the US and is expected to cause a surge in ticket sales, travel and betting.
This concentration of demand has already prompted warnings from authorities. In May, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) he said threat actors spoofed FIFA websites ahead of the tournament to collect personal information, sell bogus tickets and products, and potentially conduct other malicious activities.
The FBI warns against bogus domains impersonating the official FIFA website. Source: FBI
FIFA too warned fans that tickets purchased outside the official website may expose buyers to fraud. FIFA stated that tickets obtained through unofficial channels may be considered invalid and may be canceled without notice.
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World Cup organizers are dealing with a more complicated ticket sales system. Council on Foreign Relations reported that since Monday, tickets for several opening matches in the USA and Canada have not been sold out on the FIFA platform, as well as on the “Financial Times” platform. reported on Tuesday, there were still 176,000 unsold tickets for all group stages of the tournament on official resale portals.
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