Quintana Roo Tax Authority Warns of World Cup 2026 Fraud Schemes

Cancún, Quintana Roo — With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kick off on June 11, the Quintana Roo Tax Administration Service (SATQ) has issued a warning to businesses about potential fraud and extortion attempts involving fake inspections of broadcast rights.

In an official statement, the state agency clarified that it will not conduct inspections at commercial establishments for showing World Cup matches and emphasized that it has no authority over intellectual property matters.

The SATQ noted that the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), a federal agency, is the only entity authorized to verify compliance with intellectual property rights related to content, brands, broadcasts, and licenses.

The warning comes amid a history of fraud attempts during major international sporting events, where individuals pose as inspectors to demand payments or documents from business owners.

The tax authority urged restaurants, bars, hotels, and other establishments planning to broadcast World Cup matches to verify the identity of anyone claiming to conduct inspections related to broadcast or intellectual property rights.

Business owners with questions about licenses, permits, costs, or authorizations for public exhibition of protected content should contact IMPI directly and avoid intermediaries or supposed agents offering irregular services, the SATQ said.

The agency also called on business owners to remain alert to suspicious visits and report any attempted fraud that seeks to exploit the World Cup atmosphere.

IMPI has a hotline available at 55 56 24 04 00 for guidance on intellectual property issues.