Foreign Lottery Scams in Uganda
Fake foreign lottery notifications target Ugandans with implausible prize claims, requiring a series of fees before a prize that does not exist can be collected.
Part of: Foreign Lottery Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Foreign lottery scams tell Ugandan recipients that they have won a large sum in a lottery held in the USA, UK, or Europe — one they never entered. The prize is dangled attractively, and the victim is told that a series of small fees must be paid to release the winnings: legal fees, courier costs, taxes, and bank transfer charges.
These scams arrive by SMS, email, and increasingly via WhatsApp voice note or message, and they are often personalised with the recipient's name to create an impression of legitimacy.
How this scam works on Uganda
The notification looks official and references a real lottery brand, a fictitious international organisation, or an NGO awarding random global citizens. The victim is given a 'claim reference number' and a contact — usually a 'claims officer' on WhatsApp — who explains the release process.
Fees are requested in stages, each small enough to seem reasonable relative to the claimed prize: a certification fee, a customs bond, a transfer tax. Some scammers provide fake confirmation documents between fees to sustain the story. After the final payment, either no prize arrives or a new, larger obstruction appears.
In Uganda, mobile money is used to collect fees, and the collecting numbers are changed regularly to avoid being blocked.
Common red flags
- Notice of winning a lottery you never entered
- Fees required before prize can be collected or transferred
- 'Claim officer' communicates only via WhatsApp or personal mobile number
- Official-looking documents full of generic phrases and minor errors
- Each payment releases a new obstacle rather than the prize itself
- Prize amount grows with each communication to maintain motivation
How to protect yourself
- Legitimate lotteries deduct taxes from prizes — they do not ask winners to pay fees in advance
- Search the claimed lottery name with 'scam' before paying anything
- Block and delete without responding — engaging only extends the scam
- Report to the Uganda Police CID if you have already paid
- Warn family members who may receive the same message
How to report it
- Report to the Uganda Police Force CID Cybercrime Unit
- Report the WhatsApp or mobile number to your network operator
- File a complaint with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)
Frequently asked questions
The notification has my full name and says it is from a real lottery company — could it be genuine?
No legitimate lottery notifies winners via SMS or WhatsApp for a draw they never entered. Using your name adds credibility but is easily done with leaked contact data. Treat it as fraudulent.