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Lottery and Prize Scams: Never Pay a Fee to Claim

By , Cyber Security trainer LinkedIn Published: Last updated:

Lottery and prize scams congratulate you for a contest you never entered, then ask for taxes, fees or courier charges before payout. Real lotteries do not ask you to pay upfront to receive winnings. Do not pay; do not share ID or bank OTPs.

Quick steps

  1. If you did not enter, ignore the win message.
  2. Never pay processing, tax or courier fees to claim.
  3. Do not share ID/OTP/bank access for “verification”.
  4. Check only official lottery sites you already use.
  5. Hang up / delete and report.

Why this matters

Carlos in Madrid was told he won a European draw he never joined. Jyoti in Kanpur was asked for a “processing fee” via UPI.

If you did not enter, you did not win.

What you need to know

Rule: never pay fees to release a prize. Also: secrecy requests are a warning.

Prize claim

  • Pay tax/fee first to unlock winnings — Scam
  • You never entered the contest — Major clue
  • Official lottery portals you used — Only place to check

How to do it (step by step)

  1. If you did not enter, ignore the win message.
  2. Never pay processing, tax or courier fees to claim.
  3. Do not share ID/OTP/bank access for “verification”.
  4. Check only official lottery sites you already use.
  5. Hang up / delete and report.
  6. Warn family — these scripts recycle.

Example: Jyoti refuses a processing fee

Jyoti asked which contest she entered; the caller could not say. She hung up.

Carlos searched the official lottery site — no such claim process with fees first.

Both reported the contact details.

Common mistakes

  • Paying small fees because the prize is huge.
  • Keeping it secret as instructed.
  • Flying somewhere to collect with strangers.

Trusted places to check

Quick revision

  • No fee to claim a prize.
  • No entry = no win.
  • Report and warn family.

Ravindra Bagale's Tip

Real lotteries do not cold-message strangers asking for Bitcoin fees.

Quick quiz: check what you learned

  1. Someone says pay a fee to release lottery winnings. You should…

    1. Refuse — real prizes do not need upfront fees from you
    2. Pay a smaller fee to show good faith first
    3. Share banking OTP so taxes can be deducted remotely
    4. Send passport scans to unlock international clearance
    Show answer

    A. Upfront claim fees are a scam hallmark.

  2. Strongest early clue a prize message is fake?

    1. You never entered that contest or lottery
    2. The message uses polite grammar and a logo
    3. They offer to stay on the phone until you pay
    4. They know your first name from a public profile
    Show answer

    A. No entry usually means no win.

Learn more on this site

Short path above. These pages go deeper:

Frequently asked questions

What is this guide about?

It explains everyday safety for: lottery scam, prize fee, advance fee fraud. Plain steps, no IT jargon required.

What is the one rule to remember?

If you did not enter, you did not win. Never pay fees to release a prize.

Do I need to be a cyber expert?

No. These steps are for parents, students, shoppers and anyone who uses a phone.

Where do I report if something already went wrong?

India: 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in. US: reportfraud.ftc.gov. UK: Action Fraud. Also tell your bank or the platform quickly.