Warning Issued as World Cup Ticket Scams Rise 36 Percent With Fraudsters Using AI

The World Cup hasn’t kicked off yet and the scammers are already working.

Lloyds Bank and the UK Government are warning football fans that ticket fraud is accelerating, with scams up 36 percent compared to the previous year. The average victim lost £215 during the 2025-26 Premier League season alone. Some lost thousands on fake season tickets or VIP packages that never existed.

The tactics are getting harder to spot. Fraudsters are using AI-generated content that looks completely legitimate — professional-looking posts, fake waiting lists, counterfeit QR codes. They push urgency, demand bank transfers — fast and hard to trace — and then disappear.

High-demand events are the prime targets. Champions League finals. FA Cup finals. And with the World Cup on the horizon, demand is going through the roof.

Lord Hanson, the minister for fraud, put it plainly: “Show fraudsters the red card.” The practical advice: only use official channels, never do bank transfers, don’t let urgency push you into a decision. If it feels rushed, it’s probably a scam.