Cybersecurity experts warn of an increase in digital fraud schemes during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Cybercriminals will leverage the emotional engagement of fans and the flow of international tourism to launch more sophisticated and hard-to-detect campaigns.
One of the most common fraud schemes is the sale of fake tickets. Through cloned websites and WhatsApp messages, scammers offer tickets that do not exist. Illegitimate streaming platforms that install malware on users' devices are also proliferating.
Other prevalent methods include deceptive travel packages that require advance deposits and then disappear, as well as phishing attacks using fake emails and social engineering powered by artificial intelligence.
According to Mexico's National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services (CONDUSEF), 2.48 million complaints of potential fraud were registered in the first half of 2025, with amounts exceeding 2.52 billion Mexican pesos. The Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) has warned that 7 out of 10 financial frauds occur online.
Experts recommend making purchases exclusively on official sites, being wary of excessive social media promotions, verifying URLs and security certificates, and avoiding direct transfers to personal accounts of strangers. It is also advised to enable two-factor authentication for bank accounts and email, keep devices updated, and avoid downloading dubious software to watch sporting events.
