Cybercriminals Exploit World Cup 2026 for Banking Fraud

Kathmandu. With the excitement of the World Cup Football 2026 beginning, cybercriminals have started using it as a new medium for fraud. 

Nepal Police's Cyber Bureau has alerted the general public about a gang active in hacking users' mobile banking and looting money under the guise of watching the World Cup.

Recently, advertisements on social media and various online platforms are promoting various links and apps claiming that the World Cup 2026 can be watched for free or easily. According to the Bureau, fraudsters use such advertisements to make users download Android Installer (.apk) files.

During the installation of such apps, they request various permissions from the mobile. In the haste to watch the game, users unknowingly grant all permissions by clicking 'Allow', after which hackers gain full control of the mobile and steal all the money from the account through mobile banking apps.

To avoid such serious financial risks, the Cyber Bureau has strictly urged not to download and install unnecessary and suspicious apps. Especially, installing files in formats like '.apk', '.exe', '.bat', or '.sh' found on the internet carries a high risk of viruses entering the mobile and theft of personal data and banking details. Furthermore, the Bureau advises that if bank and financial institutions' banking systems or apps need to be updated, one should rely only on the official information from the respective bank and not follow misleading links from social media.

Cyber Bureau Spokesperson and Information Officer, Police Superintendent (SP) Dilip Kumar Giri, has urged users to be serious about this type of fraud happening in the name of the World Cup. He said, 'Awareness materials related to this matter have also been posted from the Bureau's official Facebook page, so we request everyone to get detailed information from that page and avoid fraud in the name of World Cup Football.'

If anyone attempts to commit fraud through such an app, or if someone has accidentally become a victim of fraud, the police have urged them to seek legal remedy immediately. For this, victims can immediately contact the nearest police office or register a complaint through the Cyber Bureau's contact number 9851286772 or official email address [email protected].