Cybersecurity firm TRM Labs has issued an early warning about cryptocurrency scams already targeting fans of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, months before the tournament begins. According to a report released on June 11, researchers identified at least four blockchain addresses connected to three live fraud operations involving fake tickets, fixed-match betting schemes, and speculative fan tokens.
The scams have so far collected less than $1,700 in total, with one Polygon-based ticket scam address receiving $1,562—mostly on April 1, 2026. TRM Labs emphasized that the small sums indicate the infrastructure is still being seeded and tested rather than operating at full scale, but warned that such schemes can grow rapidly as the event draws nearer and online search interest surges.
Fake ticketing sites mimic official event portals, tricking buyers into crypto payment flows controlled by scammers. Fixed-bet fraud promises insider tips for upfront crypto payments, often routing funds through custodial exchange accounts. The report also flagged a $WORLDCUP token listed on LBank, highlighting the risk of pump-and-dump schemes tied to unaffiliated commemorative coins.
TRM Labs noted scammers continue to use cross-chain swaps (e.g., Polygon to Tron) to obscure fund tracing. The firm provided broader context: over $1.9 billion was moved via cross-chain bridges for fraudulent purposes, and an estimated $35 billion flowed to fraud-linked wallets in 2025. The World Cup scams, though small, reflect the same playbooks used in larger illicit networks.
