Kaspersky Issues Urgent Warning: Over 330 Fake World Cup 2026 Domains Target Football Fans with Crypto Streaming Scams
As global excitement peaks for the 2026 World Cup, Kaspersky has issued a severe warning to digital users regarding a massive surge in cyber scams. Threat actors are aggressively exploiting the massive audience interest in live sports broadcasting by launching sophisticated phishing campaigns and fraudulent platforms.
Since the tournament's kickoff on June 11, 2026, Kaspersky's threat intelligence teams have detected and blocked no less than 336 malicious domains meticulously designed to mimic the official World Cup website.
The Fake Streaming Trap: Millions of fans turning to digital platforms for match coverage are falling victim to fraudulent streaming sites. These platforms lure users in with promises of free, high-quality live broadcasts.
Users are prompted to click a "Watch Now" button and create an account.
Once registered, the site demands a subscription fee paid exclusively via cryptocurrency for so-called "lifetime access."
The Result: Victims not only lose their cryptocurrency—which is virtually impossible to recover—but also hand over sensitive registration data to cybercriminals.
Expert Insight: "Since the tournament began, scammers have sharply focused on how fans interact with the event online," stated Olga Altukhova, Web Content Analysis Expert at Kaspersky. "With match viewing requiring nothing more than a device and an internet connection, criminal activity has skyrocketed. We strongly advise users to rely exclusively on official broadcasting platforms to safeguard their money and personal data."