WhatsApp Scam Reports

Lottery / Prize Scam

What is a Lottery / Prize Scam scam?

You are told you have won a lottery, sweepstakes, or gift you never entered, then asked to pay a "processing" or "customs" fee before the (nonexistent) prize can be released.

Red flags to watch for

  • You don't remember entering whatever lottery, sweepstakes, or giveaway they say you won.
  • A "processing," "customs," or "release" fee is required before you can receive the prize.
  • The message uses a real brand name (a lottery, a courier, a tech company) with no official channel to verify it.
  • There's pressure to respond or pay within a short deadline.

What to do

Remember that a legitimate prize never requires you to pay a fee to receive it. Verify any named organization through its own official channels, independent of the contact details in the message, before responding further.

How common this is, officially

IC3's "Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance" category received 5,623 complaints in 2025, with reported losses of $194 million.

— FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2025 Internet Crime Report

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Frequently asked questions

How is a scam type determined for a report?

The reporter selects it when filing, from a fixed list of common patterns -- not inferred automatically from the notes.

What if a report matches more than one pattern?

Reporters pick the single closest match. Read the notes on each report for the full description, which often blends more than one tactic.

How often is this page updated?

Immediately — every count here reflects the reports on file in real time, not a periodic snapshot.

Report this to official agencies

This case file is a self-reported community record, not an official investigation. If you were targeted, consider also filing a report with a national or international fraud authority:

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