The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) has issued a warning about a rise in World Cup-related cryptocurrency scams targeting football fans ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Authorities said cybercriminals are exploiting demand for match tickets, merchandise, hospitality packages, streaming services, and betting opportunities by creating fake websites and social media advertisements that closely resemble official FIFA platforms.
According to LASD, scammers have built fraudulent websites posing as official FIFA pages to collect personal and financial information from unsuspecting fans.
The department said cryptocurrency is frequently requested as a payment method by fraudsters and urged consumers to avoid purchasing tickets or related products from sellers demanding payment through cryptocurrencies, wire transfers, gift cards, or peer-to-peer payment applications.
Officials warned that cryptocurrency transactions are difficult to trace and recover once funds have been transferred.
The agency also cautioned fans against trusting screenshots, PDF confirmations, or paper tickets offered by private sellers online, noting that such documents can be easily forged.
LASD advised supporters to access FIFA's official website directly through their browser rather than clicking links shared through advertisements, social media posts, text messages, Telegram groups, or WhatsApp chats.
The department recommended verifying that website addresses match FIFA's official domain and using saved bookmarks or favourites instead of relying on internet search results or online advertisements.
The warning comes days before the start of the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Separately, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority recently warned football clubs that sponsorship deals with unauthorised cryptocurrency firms and trading platforms could expose them to legal risks, money laundering concerns, and reputational damage.
LASD said anyone who falls victim to a scam should immediately contact law enforcement, notify their bank or credit card provider, preserve transaction records and screenshots, and file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.