How It Works
You receive a message or call claiming you've won a lottery, contest, or prize you never entered. To "claim" it, you must pay a processing fee, customs charge, or tax in advance — a prize that never actually exists.
Real Example
Email: "Congratulations! You've won £500,000 in the UK National Lottery. Pay £250 processing fee to claim." You never bought a UK lottery ticket.
Red Flags 🚩
- Winning a lottery you never entered
- Asked to pay a fee to release the prize
- Message creates urgency to claim before a deadline
- Poor grammar or generic congratulatory tone
Protection Steps 🛡️
- You can't win a lottery you never entered — delete such messages.
- No genuine lottery asks winners to pay a fee upfront.
- Never share bank details to "claim" a prize.
- Report such messages to your email provider and cybercrime portal.