Big tournaments always create the same conditions:
That matters because urgency is the scammer’s best weapon. When supporters fear missing out on a seat, a hotel near the stadium or a late transport link, they are more likely to click first and verify later.
The report says criminals are concentrating on the services supporters need most:
One example flagged in the update involved a fake version of a well-known transport app aimed at users in Mexico, built to steal login details under the promise of redeemable rewards. The report also says fake offers for flights, hotel bookings and tickets have appeared at prices around 20% below the original cost - exactly the kind of deal that can look tempting in a crowded market.
Businesses are in the frame too. The update says fraudsters have also posed as representatives of a major airline to pitch bogus commercial partnerships, asking targets to pay a deposit for a “priority” place on a partner list that does not exist.
That is a reminder that the World Cup economy stretches far beyond the pitch. Fans, sponsors, suppliers and local operators all become targets when attention and money spike at the same time.
As the tournament moves closer, the next storyline may not just be squad news or host-city buzz. It will also be whether supporters can navigate the rush safely - by sticking to official platforms, double-checking web addresses and treating “too good to be true” deals exactly as they sound.