Crypto scams target 2026 World Cup fans

TRM Labs linked four cryptocurrency wallets to active scams aimed at fans attending the 2026 World Cup in North America. The wallets have received under $1,700 combined to date, the firm reported.

The scams include fake ticket websites that pose as official sellers and demand payment in cryptocurrency. One Polygon wallet received about $1,562 on April 1. A separate phishing page remains online but has not recorded any payments.

A Bitcoin address tied to a fixed-match betting scheme collected small amounts between January and May 2026 and then routed the funds into a custodial account, TRM found.

TRM also flagged a token called $WORLDCUP trading on the LBank exchange. The token is presented as a fan-made commemorative coin with no verified affiliation to FIFA; holders face steep losses if issuers remove liquidity.

The firm highlighted use of cross-chain bridges to move proceeds and complicate tracing, estimating roughly $1.9 billion in scam funds has passed through bridges over time. The TRM report states: “The amounts involved in these cases are modest, but the movement of funds follows patterns commonly seen in consumer crypto fraud.”

Law enforcement and consumer groups issued warnings before and during the tournament. The FBI issued an alert in May about spoofed FIFA websites designed to steal personal data and sell fake tickets. The Better Business Bureau advised caution around unsolicited social media offers and messages. Angela Dennis, chief executive of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ontario, explained that high demand for tickets and travel leads fraudsters to use phishing emails, fake sites and texts to collect payment or personal information.

TRM listed additional tactics it expects to see as the event continues, including betting offers promising guaranteed results for a fee, deepfake impersonations of officials, and fake streaming services that require cryptocurrency payment. The firm found some scam pages remain active even without recorded payments.

Authorities and consumer groups recommend buying tickets only from verified sellers, avoiding cryptocurrency payments for purchases or guarantees, and checking links and account details before sharing personal or financial information.