TRM Labs has linked four cryptocurrency addresses to live scams targeting 2026 World Cup fans, spanning fake ticket sites and a fixed match betting system while matches are being held across North America.
The blockchain intelligence firm says the wallets linked to the transactions have received less than $1,700 combined so far. However, it warns that the volume and frequency of scams may increase.
How World Cup Demand Fuels Cryptocurrency-Based Scams
Major sporting events create concentrated increases in demand for tickets, travel, and merchandise. TRM research shows that scammers incorporate this timing into their plans, planting fake infrastructure weeks in advance, then aggressively promoting it near the beginning.
Studies of FIFA and the World Trade Organization appreciation The tournament could attract 6.5 million participants and add up to $40.9 billion to global GDP. This scale gives scammers a large pool of potential victims.
Monitoring bodies reported the risks early. FBI to caution In May about Fake FIFA websites are specifically designed for Stealing personal data and selling fake tickets. The Better Business Bureau echoed the alarm.
Angela Dennis, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ontario, told reporters why bulk ordering leads to fraud.
“When there is such high volume and such high demand, scammers get really excited because people fall for the information they send, whether it’s an email, a phishing email or a text message, and get people to link to fake sites and give them personal information or payment details,” Dennis said. male.
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Inside the World Cup scams on the series
TRM I selected severalTypes of on-chain fraud, Led by fake tickets and bets on fixed matches. Fraudulent ticket sites pose as official sellers, list desired matches, and request cryptocurrencies.
Polygon Wallet (POL) earned about $1,562, almost all of it on April 1. A second operation, linked to a Bitcoin (BTC) address, keeps its phishing page alive but has not accepted any payments.
Fixed matching systems charge an upfront fee for assumed internal results. It linked one TRM to a Bitcoin wallet that collected small amounts between January and May 2026, then directed them to a custodial account.
A third way It goes through symbols. TRM referred to $WORLDCUP coin. It is being traded on LBank as a fan-made souvenir project without a FIFA link, exposing coin holders to the usual losses in low-liquidity coins.
Fraudsters also rely on bridges to muddy the trail, with TRM estimating nearly $1.9 billion in fraudulent funds has been moved across them over time.
A third scam takes place through codes. A coin called $WORLDCUP is being traded on the LBank exchange, which has been described as a fan-made commemorative project without any affiliation with FIFA. Currency holders face low-liquidity standard currency loss patterns when issuers exit.
“The amounts involved in these cases are modest, but the movement of funds follows patterns common in consumer cryptocurrency scams.” a report He reads.
Scammers rely on bridges to move proceeds and complicate the search process. Through all the activities tracked, approximately $1.9 billion in fraudulent funds passed through the bridges.
TRM expects To see more models as the tournament continues, including gambling venues,Deep impersonation From FIFA numbersAnd fake streaming sites.
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this post Cryptocurrency scammers attack World Cup fans as tournament kicks off appeared first on BeInCrypto.
