The Civil Guard has revealed a new form of online scam exploiting the start of the La Liga season to trap football fans. In Cantabria, seven people have fallen victim to this fraud, losing a total of €25,000. According to the institution's official statement, scammers widely distribute fraudulent links on social media and unsecured websites, promising access to live matches or exclusive content. These enticing offers actually conceal malicious mobile applications designed to infect smartphones as soon as they are installed.
A virus disguised as a football app
Once downloaded, these malicious applications run in the background without the user noticing. Their goal? To take full control of the device to spy on data entered via the keyboard, capture screens, and bypass the security of banking apps. Cybercriminals then retrieve login credentials and passwords to drain victims' accounts. In Cantabria, seven cases were reported within a few days in late August, with a total financial loss of €25,000.
Football, the new hunting ground for cybercriminals
This wave of scams coincides with the start of the La Liga season, a time when football fans are particularly active online. Scammers take advantage of the enthusiasm for matches and exclusive content to lure their victims. The Civil Guard reminds the public that these fraudulent applications are not limited to Spain but also target other European countries. To avoid falling into the trap, authorities recommend downloading apps only from official sources and always checking user reviews before installation. Victims of these scams are urged to file a police report and report the incidents to the relevant platforms to help curb the spread of these malicious programs.
Sophie Bartega · 3 septembre 2026 · 2 min de lecture
