A top British bank is warning of a big spike in ticket fraud ahead of this year’s World Cup, as sky-high prices could drive fans into the arms of scammers.

UK financial giant Lloyds Bank reported a 36% jump in fraud for Premier League tix over the past season, with victims losing an average of $280 each.

The London-based lender urged soccer fans traveling to the US to be wary, suggesting high World Cup demand would encourage fraudsters to prey upon unsuspecting supporters by pawning off phantom tickets or VIP packages.

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi of Argentina is expected to take part in his sixth – and likely final – World Cup next month. Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

World Cup host countries Canada and Mexico have much tighter restrictions on ticket resales than the US.…