Mexico issues fraud warnings for messaging apps ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Secretariat of Security and Protection of Citizens (SSPC) in Mexico released a set of recommendations to help the public avoid digital scams that use instant‑messaging applications during the FIFA World Cup 2026. Cyber‑criminals are known to exploit the tournament’s popularity by sending urgent‑tone messages that request money, personal data, verification codes or links that claim to offer tickets, promotions or experiences. The SSPC advises users to distrust unsolicited requests for immediate action, verify the sender’s identity through a separate contact method, never share verification codes or click suspicious links, enable two‑step verification, keep apps updated, avoid forwarding unverified chain messages, and report or block suspicious numbers.

The guidance is part of broader preventive measures planned for the World Cup period, aiming to protect citizens from identity theft, extortion and other online frauds linked to the event.