Who do lottery and prize scammers target and why?
Lottery scammers target people who have expressed interest in sweepstakes, those who have previously entered competitions, and older adults who are more likely to engage with unsolicited mail or phone calls.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Lottery and prize scams work because they exploit a universal human response: the possibility of unexpected good fortune. Almost everyone has a moment of excitement when told they have won something. Scammers design their approaches to prolong that moment before scepticism kicks in, and they tailor their targeting to find people most susceptible to the appeal.
People who regularly enter sweepstakes, competitions, and prize draws are actively sought out by scammers because they have already demonstrated willingness to engage with prize offers. Many legitimate sweepstakes sell their participant lists, which means an active sweepstakes entrant can receive large volumes of fraudulent prize notifications after their name appears on enough circulation lists.
Older adults are disproportionately targeted through postal mail, which carries more perceived legitimacy for people who grew up before digital communications. A professionally printed letter on official-looking paper informing someone they have won a foreign lottery can be extremely convincing. The scammers include authentic-looking 'claim forms,' cheque-like documents, and official-sounding case numbers to reinforce the impression of legitimacy.
People experiencing financial difficulty are also targeted, because the promise of a large win is most compelling when it would most dramatically change someone's life. Scammers sometimes adapt their approach to the target's apparent circumstances, focusing on how the winnings would help rather than on the mechanics of the claim process.
Common red flags
- You have won a lottery you did not enter
- You must pay fees, taxes, or insurance before receiving your prize
- The notification comes via unsolicited text, email, or post
- You are asked to keep the win secret until the prize is claimed
- The prize originator is described as a foreign government or international body
- Urgency is high — 'you have 48 hours to claim'
What to do now
- Do not pay any fee to claim a prize — legitimate prizes do not require upfront payment
- Search the name of the lottery or competition organisation online with the word 'scam'
- Contact the real organisation directly if the lottery uses the name of a genuine entity
- Discard the notification and block any number or email address used
- Report it to your national consumer protection or fraud authority
- Tell family members who may receive similar notifications
Frequently asked questions
Are there any legitimate foreign lottery winnings?
It is theoretically possible to win a foreign lottery if you actually purchased a ticket. However, you cannot win a lottery you did not enter, and no legitimate lottery requires winners to pay fees before receiving their prize.
Why do lottery scam letters sometimes include a real cheque?
The cheque is fake but convincingly produced. You are asked to deposit it and wire back the 'taxes' or 'fees.' The wire leaves your account immediately; days later the cheque bounces, and you have lost the wired amount.