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Gen Z at Risk: emerchantpay Research Reveals Surge in World Cup Ticket Fraud and Travel Scams

By Lauren Towner · 19 June 2026

Press Release: Gen Z at Risk: emerchantpay Research Reveals Surge in World Cup Ticket Fraud and Travel Scams | Featured Image by FF News

Quick Summary

New research from emerchantpay reveals that 19% of Gen Z consumers are willing to risk World Cup ticket fraud by purchasing from unofficial sites. Despite being the most concerned generation, 43% of Gen Z report a surge in fraudulent social media travel content, necessitating robust anti-fraud tools.

How Does World Cup Ticket Fraud Target Gen Z?

World Cup ticket fraud disproportionately affects younger demographics who rely on social media for travel inspiration. While 59% of Gen Z claim caution, risky purchasing behaviors persist, with one-fifth admitting they would use unofficial sites for high-demand events. Fraudulent social media content has increased for 43% of this group, significantly higher than the 34% UK national average. To combat this, travel merchants must:

  • Implement multi-factor authentication protocols.
  • Deploy 3DS2 security standards for all transactions.
  • Provide consumer education tools to identify scams.

What Results Has emerchantpay Delivered in Fraud Analysis?

The latest data from emerchantpay highlights a critical gap between consumer concern and action. While 51% of Gen Z are wary of fraud when booking holidays, their susceptibility to "too good to be true" deals remains high. Success metrics in fraud prevention suggest that integrating advanced fraud management is no longer optional for merchants. Protecting consumer trust requires a proactive stance from payment service providers to ensure that secure payment options are visible and functional at the point of sale.

"Football fans planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip must ensure they’re not putting themselves at risk from unscrupulous ticket scammers this summer." said George Ralchev, Head of Risk at emerchantpay.

How Can Merchants Prevent World Cup Ticket Fraud?

Travel merchants must prioritize security to safeguard revenue during peak event seasons. Implementing 3DS2 protocols and two-factor authentication are the primary defenses against World Cup ticket fraud. By working with an experienced payments partner, businesses can automate the detection of unscrupulous ticket scammers and protect fans from financial loss. Preserving consumer trust is achieved through:

  • Offering diverse secure methods of payment.
  • Ensuring real-time fraud monitoring is active.
  • Utilizing global acquiring features to vet international buyers.

"Travel merchants must ensure they offer a range of secure payment options to boost anti-fraud measures protecting both themselves and their customers from fraudsters. This should always include 3DS2 and two factor authentication for online payments to authenticate payments. Working closely with experienced payments partners is no longer optional - it is fundamental to protecting revenue and preserving consumer trust." said George Ralchev, Head of Risk at emerchantpay.

FF NEWS TAKE:

This report from emerchantpay highlights a terrifying paradox: the most digitally native generation is also the most vulnerable to World Cup ticket fraud. This moves the needle by proving that advanced fraud management must evolve beyond simple tech; it requires a psychological shift in UX. Merchants who fail to implement robust anti-fraud tools like 3DS2 are essentially leaving the door open for sophisticated social media scammers.

Companies in this story: emerchantpay

People in this story: George Ralchev, Martyn James

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