Consumer Fraud and Cybercrime

Sen. Maggie Hassan and Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee are warning Americans that criminals are using sophisticated online scams around Super Bowl LX to steal money and personal data through fake betting sites, bogus ticket offers and counterfeit merchandise. With U.S. bettors expected to wager a record $1.8 billion on the game, the panel says fraudsters are cloning the look of major sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings—often using AI‑generated graphics—then luring users with 'risk‑free' bonuses before refusing payouts or demanding additional deposits. Lawmakers urge fans to verify that any sportsbook is U.S.-based and state‑licensed, buy Super Bowl tickets only from authorized NFL or reputable resale platforms that offer buyer protections, and avoid paying by wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency. They also point to recent federal stings that seized more than $120 million in fake Super Bowl apparel and gear in 2020 and nearly $40 million last year, advising shoppers to check sellers with the Better Business Bureau, look for verifiable addresses and phone numbers, and scrutinize return and refund policies. The guidance reflects broader concern in Washington and among consumer advocates that big televised events and the boom in legal online betting have become prime hunting grounds for increasingly polished cyberfraud operations.