Islamabad (GNP) :- Kaspersky is cautioning football fans to stay alert when using unofficial streaming and betting platforms, warning that carelessness could cost them both money and personal data.
Since the World Cup kicked off on 11 June 2026, fraudsters have wasted no time capitalizing on fan enthusiasm. Kaspersky researchers have identified at least 336 unique domains designed to impersonate official World Cup resources. Cybercriminals are also aggressively exploiting the surge in interest around match streaming and online sports betting, two of the most popular ways fans follow the tournament.
One widespread scam involves fake websites that promise free access to live World Cup broadcasts. Users who click a “Watch now” button are directed to a registration page, after which they are asked to pay a cryptocurrency fee for what is described as lifetime tournament access. Victims in these cases risk losing both their registration details and their crypto funds.
A separate set of traps targets fans interested in sports betting and match predictions. Kaspersky found one Spanish-language site that, under the pretext of account registration, collected extensive personal data including full names, email addresses, and phone numbers. For users who recycle passwords across multiple accounts, this kind of data collection creates significant exposure to credential theft, on top of the direct financial risk.
Kaspersky Senior Web Content Analyst Olga Altukhova said scammers have increasingly zeroed in on the ways fans interact with the tournament online, noting that watching a match today requires nothing more than an internet connection and a device. She said the volume of fraudulent streaming and betting sites being detected across multiple languages reflects how quickly criminal activity scales up around major events, and urged fans to use official broadcast channels to keep their data and finances safe.
Also Read: Parliaments Play a Central Role in Shaping Policies
Phishing emails are another vector being used against fans. These messages typically use urgent, attention-grabbing subject lines to push recipients into acting quickly — a classic red flag. In one documented case, fans received emails promoting football analytics and match prediction services, with a fee of A$200 required for access. Anyone who pays for such services risks an irreversible financial loss, with nothing legitimate to show for it.
To reduce exposure to these threats, Kaspersky recommends verifying the authenticity of any website before entering personal information, carefully checking URL formats and the spelling of organization names, and using only official and well-established streaming platforms.
The company also advises running a reliable security solution such as Kaspersky Premium, which detects malicious attachments and blocks phishing links. The product received an Approved certification in anti-phishing testing from AV-Comparatives in 2025, recognizing its AI-enhanced capabilities in this area.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
