Law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) and the FBI, have issued warnings about scammers using fake FIFA World Cup websites, ads, and social media posts to steal money and personal information from soccer fans. Cryptocurrency payments are a major red flag because they are irreversible. Scammers offer fake ticket sales, hospitality packages, streaming services, and betting promotions, often demanding payment via crypto, wire transfer, or gift cards. The LASD advises fans to go directly to the official FIFA website and avoid clicking on sponsored ads or links from unknown sources. Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes also reported scammers promoting fake World Cup-themed cryptocurrency tokens, some claiming to be official FIFA projects. Buying these tokens could result in financial loss or wallet compromise. The warnings come as 2025 sees $3.4 billion in crypto theft, according to Chainalysis, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities across the US, Mexico, and Canada.

Key facts

• Scammers use fake FIFA websites and ads to steal funds via irreversible crypto payments.
• LASD warns against sellers asking for cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards.
• Malwarebytes found fake World Cup tokens with airdrop claims and 7 billion supply.
• FBI and LASD advise reporting scams to law enforcement and IC3.
• AI helps scammers clone brands and create phishing sites for credentials.