Federal and local authorities have warned football fans about an increase in digital fraud related to the alleged sale of tickets for matches in Mexico, where cybercriminals use fake portals and social media to deceive people. According to the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), scammers take advantage of the high demand for the event to offer non-existent, duplicated, or off-channel tickets. "Cybercriminals generate a sense of urgency during the supposed purchase," the SSPC alerted. "Data provided in the transaction may be used in future crimes," the SSPC warned. How do World Cup ticket scams work? Authorities have identified several common methods used by criminals: Fake pages that mimic official sites: Scammers create portals that simulate official FIFA websites or ticket sales sites. Deceptive offers on social media: Another modality occurs on Facebook, X, or Instagram, where fake profiles—or even hacked accounts—offer tickets with: "Special" prices. Urgency ("last tickets"). Plausible stories ("I can't go anymore"). The goal is to pressure the user into paying without verifying. Fake packages with travel included: Supposed agencies selling packages for the World Cup with tickets, accommodation, and transport have also been detected. In many cases, these services do not exist and aim to steal money or personal data. How to avoid falling for scams? Buy tickets only from the official FIFA website. Always verify the authenticity of the page. Do not share banking data on unknown sites. Avoid purchases through social media or intermediaries. Be wary of any unofficial pre-sales not announced by the authorities. Meanwhile, the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) warned that high-demand events like the 2026 World Cup are an ideal target for digital fraud. The hook is not just the price but the promise of securing a spot before others.
