Lottery fraud

A lottery fraud is when a person is told they have won an major lottery even though they had not purchased a ticket or known about the lottery.

How does this work?

A person is advised, usually by email, they have won an international lottery. They are told their email address or other personally identifiable information has been drawn in a lottery and they are entitled to receive a large cash prize.

Before payment is made, they are required to make several payments of taxes, fees, charges, registrations etc. These fees cannot by local law be paid from the proceeds meaning the “winner” must make payment from their own financial reserves. This provides the fraudster with real money while the victim chases their prize.

The victim will send the amounts of money as directed, and in each instance, will be asked to forward another, usually larger amount. Victims become emotionally attached to the prospect of receiving a large sum of money, and pay these amounts as directed until they discover they have lost all their money and have not received the promised winnings. No matter how much money they send, they will never receive their “prize”.

How do I protect myself?

You cannot win a lottery you have not purchased a ticket in.