GNR warns of World Cup 2026 scams

Portugal’s GNR military police have issued a warning over a rise in online scams linked to the FIFA World Cup 2026, urging football fans and collectors to be extra vigilant as criminals seek to exploit interest in the tournament.

According to the GNR, fraudsters are increasingly using World Cup-related schemes to steal money, personal information and banking details, with the threat expected to intensify as the competition progresses.

The warning comes amid a sharp increase in FIFA-themed websites. Globally, more than 13,000 FIFA-related internet domains were registered between January and May this year, with around 8.8% identified as suspicious or potentially malicious.

The GNR says cybercriminals typically rely on three tactics: creating a false sense of urgency, impersonating legitimate organisations and persuading victims to hand over money or sensitive personal information.

Authorities have already recorded six complaints in Portugal linked to World Cup sticker scams, involving fraudulent websites and social media platforms selling non-existent or counterfeit collectibles.

The force says it has identified several recurring types of fraud associated with the tournament, including fake ticketing websites, counterfeit merchandise stores, fraudulent streaming services, malicious mobile applications and illegal betting platforms.

One of the most common schemes involves websites that closely imitate official FIFA pages, offering tickets, merchandise or competition prizes. Victims are often pressured into making immediate payments through methods that are difficult to recover, including cryptocurrency transfers and digital wallets.

The GNR also warns against phishing emails and social media messages falsely claiming to be from FIFA, often promoting ticket giveaways, prize draws or security alerts designed to trick users into revealing personal information.

Other scams involve fake online stores selling World Cup merchandise or sticker albums, fraudulent streaming links shared shortly before matches begin, and malicious apps downloaded from unofficial sources.

The force has also highlighted cryptocurrency-related fraud, where victims are encouraged to invest in fake digital assets supposedly linked to the tournament, as well as unlicensed betting websites that accept deposits but fail to pay out winnings.

The GNR advises consumers to be suspicious of offers that appear too good to be true, particularly if they involve unusually low prices, requests for payment via cryptocurrency or MB Way, demands for copies of identity documents, or website addresses that differ slightly from FIFA’s official website.

Fans are also urged not to click on unsolicited FIFA-related links, install software promoted through unofficial streaming sites or share banking details on unverified platforms.

Anyone who believes they have fallen victim to a scam is encouraged to report the incident to their local police station so authorities can monitor and investigate emerging fraud trends.