Lottery & Prize Money Scams

What is this scam?

Lottery and prize scams are among the most persistent frauds in India, evolving from postal scams to SMS, WhatsApp, and telephone calls. Victims are told they have won a large cash prize — often ₹25 lakh to ₹1 crore — in a lottery, KBC (Kaun Banega Crorepati), Amazon lucky draw, or government scheme. To claim the prize, they must pay a 'processing fee,' 'income tax advance,' or 'clearance charge' — which they will never see again.

How it works — step by step

1. 1

   Victim receives an SMS, WhatsApp message, or call: 'Congratulations! You have won ₹25 lakhs in KBC/Amazon Lucky Draw/Government Lottery.'

2. 2

   Caller provides a fake 'lottery number,' 'winner ID,' and sometimes a convincing WhatsApp forward with official-looking branding.

3. 3

   Victim is asked to pay a 'processing fee' of ₹1,000–₹10,000 to 'release' the prize.

4. 4

   After first payment, new requirements emerge — 'income tax advance,' 'government clearance,' 'bank transfer fee.'

5. 5

   Each payment is followed by another until the victim runs out of money or realises the fraud.

6. 6

   Prize never arrives. Scammer disappears.

🚩 Red flags — warning signs

• ⚠️You cannot win a lottery or prize draw you never entered — this is the single definitive test
• ⚠️KBC does not select winners by SMS or WhatsApp — participants must register through official channels only
• ⚠️No legitimate prize requires advance payment of any kind to release the winnings
• ⚠️Urgency — 'claim within 24 hours or prize is forfeited' — creates panic to prevent rational thinking
• ⚠️Any prize notification that arrives unsolicited via SMS, WhatsApp, or unknown caller
• ⚠️Request to keep the win secret from family — designed to prevent others from warning you

✅ What to do if you've been targeted

1. 1Hang up or ignore — no legitimate lottery requires upfront payment to receive winnings
2. 2Never pay any amount — each payment you make will be followed by a new demand
3. 3Report to cybercrime.gov.in
4. 4Call 1930
5. 5Warn family members — these scams particularly target elderly people
6. 6Block the number and report on TRAI DND portal at trai.gov.in

📋 Official resources & complaint portals

• →cybercrime.gov.in
• →1930
• →trai.gov.in — Report spam calls