Genuine Prize vs Lottery Scam
Tell a real prize notification from a lottery or prize scam that wants fees upfront.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
If you've won something you didn't enter, the prize almost certainly isn't real. Legitimate competitions and lotteries are entered voluntarily; they never contact out-of-the-blue winners and they never charge a fee to release a prize. The 'advance fee' trick — pay a small amount to unlock a large reward — is one of the oldest fraud patterns in existence, and it works because the promised prize seems to justify the cost. The contrast below makes the difference clear.
Side-by-side comparison
| Genuine prize | Lottery scam | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | You entered the competition yourself | You 'won' a competition you never entered |
| Fees | Prizes delivered without any upfront fee | 'Taxes', 'processing', or 'insurance' fees required to release prize |
| Verification | Winner announcement verifiable on official channels | Only notified by email, call, or message — no public record |
| Urgency | Reasonable claim window; no high-pressure countdown | Must claim within hours or 'forfeit' the prize |
| Personal data | Collects only what's needed for delivery | Wants full bank details to 'transfer' the prize money |
| Secrecy | Winners typically happy to be publicly acknowledged | Told to keep winning secret to 'avoid tax issues' |
Common red flags
- Winning a competition you have no memory of entering
- Any fee, tax, or insurance payment required before receiving the prize
- Notification only by unsolicited message with no verifiable public record
- Urgency or a tight deadline to claim
- Request for bank details to transfer prize money
- Instructions to keep the win confidential
Verification steps
- Search the competition name and organisation name online — legitimate wins leave a public trail
- Contact the promoting company directly via their official website, not numbers provided by the caller
- Never pay any fee to release a prize
- Ask yourself whether you actually entered — if not, treat it as a scam
What not to do
- Don't pay any 'release', 'tax', or 'insurance' fee for a prize
- Don't share bank details with a prize notification you didn't expect
- Don't act under urgency pressure — take time to verify
- Don't keep alleged wins secret from people you trust
A safe response
If you believe the prize might be real, contact the promoting organisation directly through their official website to verify. Do not pay any fee and do not share bank details until you have independently confirmed the competition exists and that you are genuinely listed as a winner.
Frequently asked questions
Are advance fees ever legitimate prize conditions?
No. Legitimate prizes are never contingent on the winner paying money first. Any request for a fee to release a prize is a scam, regardless of how official the communication looks.
What if the email contains my correct personal details?
Scammers buy and trade personal data, so knowing your name and address is not evidence of a genuine prize. Verify through official channels regardless.
Can I report lottery scam emails?
Yes — forward them to your national fraud reporting body or the relevant email abuse address. Reporting helps shut down campaigns that target many people.