TRM Labs' 2026 Crypto Crime Report reveals that approximately $35 billion flowed to scam-linked wallets in 2025, part of a record $158 billion in total illicit crypto activity. Investment schemes drove 62% of fraud inflows. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, TRM is tracking multiple crypto scam typologies targeting fans, including fake ticketing sites, fixed-match betting scams, scam-kit sellers, and fan-branded meme coins. While amounts received so far are under $1,700, scammers are building infrastructure months in advance. TRM has identified bridge activity in these scams, reflecting a broader trend where scammers have moved $1.9 billion through bridges overall to complicate tracing. The report expects additional typologies to emerge as the tournament approaches, such as gambling scams, deepfake impersonation, fake token launches, and accommodation fraud. Scammers exploit major events by seeding fraud infrastructure weeks or months ahead, then promoting aggressively as the event nears.

Key facts

• $35 billion flowed to scam wallets in 2025, part of $158B total illicit crypto activity.
• TRM tracks World Cup scams: fake tickets, fixed-match betting, scam kits, meme coins.
• Scammers build infrastructure weeks/months before major events, then promote aggressively.
• Over $1.9B in scam funds moved through bridges to complicate tracing.
• Additional typologies expected: gambling, deepfakes, fake tokens, accommodation fraud.