Law Enforcement Warns of World Cup Crypto Scams Targeting Soccer Fans

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and FBI Cyber Division, law enforcement agencies on Wednesday warned that scammers are using fake FIFA websites and social media ads to steal money and personal information from World Cup fans ahead of the 2026 tournament. Cryptocurrency payments are a primary red flag because transactions cannot be reversed.

Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes also reported that scammers are promoting fake FIFA-branded cryptocurrency projects, including unlicensed tokens claiming to be the "official community token" for the World Cup. The FBI identified typo-squatting tactics using lookalike domains with slight misspellings to target victims. According to Chainalysis, crypto theft in 2025 reached $3.4 billion. Victims should contact law enforcement, their bank, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and should verify World Cup tickets and merchandise directly through the official FIFA website.