Is a notification saying I won a lottery or prize draw I never entered a scam?
Yes, always. You cannot win a lottery or competition you never entered, and any 'prize' that requires you to pay fees or provide financial details first is a scam.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Lottery and prize scams are among the oldest frauds in existence and remain effective because winning money is a powerful emotional hook. They arrive by email, letter, SMS, or social media message and claim you have won a life-changing sum from a well-known organisation — often using real company names like a national lottery, a soft-drink brand, or an international bank.
The catch follows quickly: to claim your prize you must pay an 'administrative fee,' 'customs charge,' 'tax advance,' or 'processing fee.' Once you pay, another fee is invented. Some victims pay repeatedly over months before realising the prize does not exist. Others hand over bank details to receive the 'transfer,' which results in unauthorised withdrawals instead.
The law in virtually every country requires that legitimate competitions be free to enter and free to claim. Legitimate prizes are also announced through verifiable official channels — not unsolicited messages from strangers.
If you want to verify whether a brand is running a real promotion, go directly to that brand's official website and social media accounts. Anything that requires upfront payment to claim a prize is a scam.
Common red flags
- You have no memory of entering the competition named
- You are asked to pay fees to release your winnings
- The notification demands secrecy or says prizes expire within hours
- Uses names of real well-known companies but comes from unofficial contact details
- Asks for your bank account details to transfer the prize
- The prize amount is implausibly large relative to the competition described
What to do now
- Ignore and delete the notification
- Do not pay any fee regardless of the explanation given
- Do not provide bank account or personal details
- If a known brand name is misused, report it to that company's official fraud line
- Report to your national consumer protection or fraud reporting agency
- Warn friends and family — these often spread through forwarded messages
Frequently asked questions
What if the letter or email looks very official?
Official appearance is easy to fake with a printer and copied logos. Authenticity must be confirmed through the organisation's own verified contact channels, not through the document itself.
Is there such a thing as a real unclaimed prize?
Real unclaimed prizes are held by verified organisations and can be confirmed on their official website. They never require advance fees and do not contact winners through unsolicited mass messaging.