As the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, fans are still searching for last-minute tickets. However, fraudsters are taking advantage of this demand, using fake ticket listings, spoofed FIFA websites, social media posts, and artificial intelligence-made scams to steal money and personal information.
How Scams Work
These scams often involve fake ticket listings that look polished, with QR codes and urgent messages from sellers claiming someone else wants the tickets. The FBI has warned that cybercriminals are creating fake FIFA websites that copy official branding and language, which can fool fans into entering their personal and payment information.
The safest way to avoid these scams is to type FIFA.com directly into your browser and go to the official ticketing page from there. Fans should also be cautious of links in search ads, text messages, Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats, or emails that claim to offer verified seats.
Warning Signs
Some warning signs of these scams include sellers pushing for quick payments, using peer-to-peer payment apps, crypto, gift cards, or wire transfers, which can be hard to reverse. Fans should also be wary of tickets that are far below the going rate, as this can be a tactic to lure in victims.
A real ticket should transfer through the official ticketing system, and a screenshot, PDF, or QR code image is not enough proof. If a seller refuses to use the official transfer process, fans should walk away.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
