The 2026 World Cup has begun, with 48 teams competing for the title. Cybercriminals are exploiting this situation to spread fake offers for free match viewing. However, these are scams aimed at “gaining an advantage” by accessing the personal and banking information of victims.
How Cybercriminals Operate
“Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the football frenzy to launch banking fraud campaigns,” warns the Civil Guard. They are offering enticed individuals tempting deals for streaming apps or IPTV to watch matches for free.
What may appear as a simple app for enjoying matches is, in fact, a scam that cybercriminals will use to access and empty the victims’ bank accounts. “This is not just any virus: once inside, attackers gain full control of your device, access your online banking, and can drain your accounts in real-time,” they alert.
How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of These Scams During the World Cup
The Civil Guard recommends being wary of any offer promising free viewing of all matches via unofficial links; tempting offers are often synonymous with scams. They also advise downloading applications only from official stores, such as Google Play or the App Store, and avoiding unknown links that could lead to fraudulent websites.
In Spain, all matches of the National Team can be followed through authorised channels and platforms, such as RTVE and DAZN, so it is advisable to always use official sources to avoid risks and exercise caution.
If a user has downloaded a suspicious application or entered their banking details on a fraudulent page, authorities recommend acting swiftly and:
- Uninstall the application
- Change passwords
- Review bank transactions
- Contact the bank to block unauthorised transactions
The Civil Guard encourages victims to file a report, presenting evidence that demonstrates the fraud, to help put an end to scams during the 2026 World Cup.
