Foreign Lottery Scams in the Dominican Republic
Lottery and prize scams tell Dominicans they have won a draw they never entered, then demand fees and taxes before a prize that never arrives.
Part of: Foreign Lottery Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Foreign lottery scams notify victims that they have won a large prize in a lottery or sweepstakes — usually one they never entered — and require upfront 'fees', 'taxes', or 'release charges' before the winnings can be paid. The prize never materialises, and each payment leads to a new demand.
In the Dominican Republic these scams reach people by phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email, and social media, sometimes referencing well-known international lotteries or fabricated promotions to appear credible.
How this scam works on the Dominican Republic
A victim is told they have won a major prize — cash, a car, or a holiday — in an international lottery or a brand's 'promotion'. The notification looks official, with logos, reference numbers, and an 'agent' to guide them. To claim, the victim is asked to pay a processing fee, insurance, courier cost, or tax in advance.
Each payment is followed by a new charge — an unexpected customs levy, a bank clearance fee — and victims who have already paid feel compelled to continue. The 'agent' maintains pressure with deadlines and reassurances that the prize is almost released. No winnings ever arrive, and once the victim stops paying, contact ends.
Some variants ask for bank details 'to deposit the prize', which are then used for further fraud.
Common red flags
- Notification of a lottery or prize win for a draw you never entered
- A requirement to pay fees, taxes, or charges before receiving winnings
- Pressure and deadlines to pay quickly to 'release' the prize
- Requests for bank details supposedly to deposit the prize
- Official-looking notices with errors, mismatched logos, or free-email contacts
- An 'agent' who guides you and discourages consulting others
- Each payment followed by another unexpected charge
How to protect yourself
- Remember that legitimate lotteries never ask winners to pay fees to collect a prize
- Be certain you cannot win a lottery you never entered
- Never pay upfront charges or share bank details to claim a 'prize'
- Search the lottery or promotion name with the word 'scam' before responding
- Consult a trusted relative before acting on any prize notification
- Block and delete — any reply confirms your contact is active
How to report it
- Report to the Dominican police anti-cybercrime division (DICAT) or the nearest station
- File a complaint with the Procuraduria (Public Prosecutor), keeping all messages and payment records
- Warn family and contacts, as scammers often target the same circles
Frequently asked questions
The notice references a real, well-known lottery brand — does that make it legitimate?
No. Scammers frequently borrow the names of well-known international lotteries or brand promotions to appear credible, using logos and reference numbers that can be entirely fabricated. Contact the actual organisation directly through its official website to check.
The 'agent' handling my claim wants my bank details to deposit the winnings — is that normal for a real prize?
No. Legitimate lotteries and promotions do not need your bank login or sensitive account details beyond a secure, verified process, and they never ask you to pay a fee first. Providing bank details to an unverified 'agent' risks further fraud beyond the fee itself.
What should I do with an SMS or WhatsApp message claiming I won a prize?
Don't click any link or reply — research the supposed lottery or promotion independently, and if you're confident it's fraudulent, delete the message and consider reporting it to DICAT. Remember that you cannot win a lottery you never entered.
I was told I won an international lottery — could it be real in the Dominican Republic?
If you never entered the lottery, you cannot have won it. Genuine lotteries never require winners to pay fees or taxes upfront to collect a prize. Any such request is a clear sign of a scam.