Big Game, Bigger Scams: How Fraudsters Exploit the Super Bowl

The excitement is building—Super Bowl LIX is almost here! Fans are gearing up for the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Philadelphia Eagles showdown, Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance, and, of course, the thrill of betting on the big game. But while visitors prepare for the action, fraudsters are just as ready—and they’re not playing fair.

Every major event attracts cybercriminals looking to cash in, and the Super Bowl is no exception. From fake betting sites to account takeovers, fraud is at an all-time high during this high-traffic event. Here’s a breakdown of the top scams to watch for and how to protect yourself with the right fraud solution and bot detection tools.

1. Fake Betting Sites & Scams

With millions of dollars flowing through online sportsbooks, fraudsters set up fake betting sites that look legitimate but are designed to steal money and personal information. These scams often use misleading ads or phishing emails to lure visitors in.

How to Avoid It:

• Stick to well-known, licensed betting platforms.
• Look for HTTPS and read online reviews before placing a bet.
• Use bot detection tools to prevent fraudsters from manipulating betting odds.

2. Account Takeovers (ATO) & Credential Stuffing

Fraudsters use stolen login credentials from past data breaches to break into betting and e-commerce accounts. If your password is weak or reused, you could be an easy target.

How to Avoid It:

• Use strong, unique passwords for every site.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
• Monitor account activity and act fast if you see unauthorized logins.

3. Multi-Accounting & Bonus Abuse

Fraudsters create multiple accounts using fake identities, stolen credentials, or bots to exploit welcome bonuses and promotions offered by sportsbooks and betting platforms. This not only skews platform data but also results in financial losses for legitimate businesses.

How to Avoid It:

• Betting platforms should use bot detection and fraud solution tools to identify duplicate accounts.
• Users should stick to one verified account and avoid sharing login details.
• Platforms can block bots that automate account creation.

4. Bot-Driven Ticket Fraud

Tickets to the Super Bowl are in high demand, and bots make it even harder to get your hands on one. Scalper bots buy up tickets in bulk within seconds, reselling them at sky-high prices or scamming visitors with fake tickets.

How to Avoid It:

• Buy tickets only from official vendors like Ticketmaster or the NFL.
• Be wary of third-party sellers, especially on social media.
• Websites can use bot detection and counter bot solutions to stop automated ticket hoarding.

5. Fake Merchandise & Counterfeit Jerseys

Super Bowl merch is a hot commodity, making it a prime target for counterfeiters. Fake jerseys, hats, and memorabilia flood the market, often with stolen credit card data being used for purchases.

How to Avoid It:

• Purchase from official NFL stores or reputable retailers.
• Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
• Retailers can block bots that scrape inventory and manipulate sales.

6. Ad Fraud & Fake Traffic Spikes

The Super Bowl drives massive ad spending, but not all traffic is real. Fraudsters use bots to generate fake clicks, draining marketing budgets and skewing analytics.

How to Avoid It:

• Use an ad fraud bot detection solution to identify and eliminate fake traffic.
• Track engagement metrics to spot anomalies (e.g., high traffic but no conversions).
• Work with trusted advertising partners to avoid fraudulent networks.

7. Phishing Scams & Fake Contests

Fraudsters send emails or social media messages claiming visitors have won Super Bowl tickets or prizes. Clicking the link leads to malware downloads or stolen personal information.

How to Avoid It:

• Never click on unsolicited links or provide personal information.
• Verify giveaways with official brand accounts before entering.
• Companies can implement bot detection to filter out automated scam attempts.

How to Protect Yourself Against Super Bowl Fraud

• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on betting and shopping accounts.
• Use bot detection tools to identify and block fraudulent visitors.
• Be skeptical of unsolicited messages claiming you’ve won something.
• Monitor your financial accounts for any suspicious transactions.
• Retailers and advertisers should implement fraud prevention solutions to protect their platforms from bot-driven attacks.

At Anura, we specialize in ad fraud bot detection and blocking bots before they can wreak havoc on your campaigns. With our 99.999% accuracy guarantee, we don’t just guess—we guarantee.

Try Anura’s fraud solution with a 15-day free trial and ensure your Super Bowl experience is fraud-free. Visit Anura.io to learn more.