From phishing to porn star impersonators: how scamming athletes became a billion-dollar industry

Athletes have always been targets for criminals hoping to profit from their wealth. But a new wave of dangers has cropped up in recent years

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ith exorbitant ticket, travel and hotel prices making fans desperate to find an affordable way of attending this summer’s World Cup, it’s no surprise that security firms and law enforcement agencies are warning that fans are at significant risk of becoming fraud victims.

While major tournaments are moments of heightened vulnerability for supporters, players themselves are increasingly attractive year-round targets for cybercriminals who can use AI to mount ever more sophisticated attacks.

“As the sports industry reaches record revenue levels, the financial incentives to steal from athletes and profit illicitly has never been higher,” according to a recent report from the consultancy firm EY. “The playbook for fraudsters and organised crime is growing more complex every year, and the risks have multiplied at every level of sport.”