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Social Media Scammers Target World Cup Visitors with False Canadian Immigration Claims
Videos containing false information about Canadian immigration policies are proliferating across TikTok and Instagram, targeting potential travelers to this summer’s FIFA World Cup, according to immigration experts and anti-fraud authorities.
An investigation by CBC’s visual team has uncovered social media accounts operating from multiple countries, including India, Pakistan, and Canada, spreading misinformation in Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi about entry requirements and opportunities related to the international soccer tournament.
One typical video displays official-looking imagery—including screenshots from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, Canadian passport graphics, and waving flags—while making deceptive claims. “For those who have been wanting to settle in Canada for a very long time… it’s a golden opportunity,” states a Hindi-speaking narrator in one such video.
“In most of these cases, these are scams,” warns Mandeep Lidher, a Calgary-based immigration consultant. “They are preying on vulnerable people who lack the knowledge or who don’t go online and check the official requirements.”
The videos frequently misrepresent a legitimate but limited IRCC policy announced last November. This temporary measure exempts select FIFA-invited foreign nationals—such as the organization’s employees and contractors—from standard work authorization requirements. However, this narrowly-defined exemption is being falsely portrayed as a pathway to work and residency for general visitors.
The IRCC has explicitly stated to CBC News that “the FIFA World Cup is not an opportunity to seek asylum,” emphasizing that “visitors to Canada are expected to respect the conditions of their stay and leave once their authorized period ends.”
Another common deception observed in these videos is the promotion of a non-existent “special category” visa for World Cup attendees. One video in Urdu offered a visa application package for approximately $2,220 CAD, claiming it included “embassy fees, match tickets, biometrics and consultancy fees” with a “high approval ratio.”
Lidher dismissed these claims outright, confirming no special visitor visa exists for the World Cup. “As usual, they will check your finances, your travel history,” he explained. “One of the main focuses is that you can return to your home country and won’t overstay in Canada and file for asylum.”
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has acknowledged receiving reports of FIFA-related fraud, noting that “fraud activity tends to increase around major global events,” though they could not confirm whether the scams originated within Canada.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, with matches in Toronto, Vancouver, and 14 other cities across the United States and Mexico, Canadian officials have launched international efforts to warn potential victims.
Joshua Tabah, Canada’s high commissioner for Kenya, has been actively participating in a press campaign to alert Kenyans about potential immigration scams. “Canada already has the stadiums. We’re not building new stadiums for the FIFA World Cup,” he told media in Nairobi, adding that offers of construction work in exchange for cash payments are definite scams.
The IRCC has emphasized that World Cup tickets do not guarantee entry to Canada, and “border officers will make the final decision on entry when the visitor arrives.”
Lidher cautions against agents claiming they can guarantee entry to Canada. “In many cases, these agents falsify documents, and they even alter people’s documents. So that could end up getting somebody a five-year ban for misrepresentation.”
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre urges people to report scams, explaining that reports help authorities “identify patterns, share fraudulent websites, bank accounts, phone numbers, emails and social media activity for disruption efforts, and provide actionable intelligence to investigative partners.”
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11 Comments
I’m curious to know if this is a new tactic or if scammers have tried similar approaches before around other major events. Understanding the larger context could help inform how to best address this problem.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific tactics these scammers are using. What platforms and languages are they targeting, and how are they making their claims seem legitimate? Understanding their methods can help us better protect people.
Good point. Analyzing the scammers’ techniques, like using official-looking imagery, can reveal patterns we can watch out for. Reporting these accounts and videos is also important to limit the spread of misinformation.
This is a good reminder to always verify information, especially when it comes to complex and sensitive topics like immigration. Falling for these kinds of scams can have serious consequences for people’s lives.
Absolutely. It’s important to be vigilant and check official government websites and reputable sources before believing claims on social media, especially around high-profile events like the World Cup.
These types of scams targeting vulnerable populations are really troubling. I hope the authorities can quickly shut down the accounts and channels spreading this misinformation to protect potential travelers.
Agreed. Deceptive claims about immigration opportunities could lead people to make risky decisions. Raising awareness about the issue and directing people to official sources is crucial.
This is really concerning. Spreading false information about immigration policies is a serious issue that preys on vulnerable people. It’s important to verify information from official government sources before making any decisions.
Absolutely. Scammers trying to take advantage of people’s hopes and dreams is just wrong. Glad the authorities are investigating this and getting the word out.
I’m glad the authorities are on top of this and working to shut down the scam accounts. Spreading misinformation about immigration policies is unethical and can have real, harmful impacts on people’s lives.
It’s disappointing to see this happening around the World Cup, which should be a time of celebration. Immigration policies can be complex, so I’m glad the authorities are warning people to be cautious and verify information before taking any action.