Prize Notification Scams on WhatsApp
Fraudsters send WhatsApp messages claiming the recipient has been randomly selected to win a smartphone, gift card, or cash prize, then demand fees or personal data to process the award.
Part of: Prize Notification Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Prize notification scams on WhatsApp differ from foreign lottery fraud in that they reference everyday brands — supermarkets, telecoms providers, technology companies — to make the win appear plausible. A message claims that the recipient was randomly selected from a customer database or a survey list and has won a prize from a recognisable company.
The brand association lowers the victim's guard because they may genuinely be a customer of the named company. WhatsApp's direct-message format adds a sense that the notification is personal and not spam.
How this scam works on WhatsApp
A WhatsApp message states that the recipient has been chosen by [a well-known brand] to receive a prize. To claim, they must tap a link, fill in personal details, and pay a nominal delivery or processing fee. The link leads to a clone of the brand's website, capturing payment card details and personal information.
In some variants, the WhatsApp number calls the victim after they click the link, with an operator congratulating them and walking them through the 'verification' steps in real time, adding urgency and preventing reflection.
The collected data — name, address, card details — is used for identity fraud or sold on dark-web marketplaces. No prize is ever delivered.
Common red flags
- WhatsApp message claiming you have won a prize from a brand without having entered a competition
- Link to a website claiming to be a well-known brand that has a slightly different domain name
- Request for card details or a fee to cover delivery of the prize
- A follow-up phone call immediately after you click the link
- Urgency messaging — prize expires within 24 hours
- Message asking you to forward it to contacts to 'qualify' for the prize
How to protect yourself
- Verify any prize claim by contacting the named brand directly through their official website
- Never enter card details on a site reached through a WhatsApp link
- Be suspicious of delivery fee requests — genuine prize winners are not charged to receive their award
- Do not forward prize messages to contacts — forwarding spreads the scam
- Block and report the sender immediately
How to report it
- Use WhatsApp's 'Report' function on the message or number
- Report the brand impersonation to the brand's official customer service or fraud team
- File a report with your national consumer or fraud authority
Frequently asked questions
Do real brands ever notify winners via WhatsApp?
Occasionally a legitimate brand will use WhatsApp for winner notifications if you have previously opted in to WhatsApp marketing from them. In all such cases, you will have entered a specific competition, no fee will be required to claim your prize, and the contact will come from a verified WhatsApp Business account linked to the brand's known number.