Lottery scam

Lottery scam tells you that you won a prize in a draw you never entered, then asks for a fee, tax or bank details to release it.

Lottery scam: A lottery scam is a message or call saying you have won a lottery, a car, a KBC-style prize or a lucky draw. To claim it you must first pay a fee, share bank details or an OTP. There is no prize, and the fee is the scam.

The message may arrive by SMS, WhatsApp or email, often with a certificate and a famous brand or television show name. A "claims manager" calls and sounds delighted. They explain that tax, courier, insurance or processing charges must be paid before the prize is released. The first charge is small. More follow once you have paid. Some versions use names of well-known companies and television shows to look real.

The simple test: did you enter this draw? If not, you cannot have won. Do not pay, do not reply, and do not share bank or ID details. Delete the message and block the number. Report it through Chakshu on Sanchar Saathi. You can paste the text into the Safeavio scam check to see the money-demand and urgency flags. Remember that a real prize never needs you to pay first.

Tips

• If you never entered a draw, you did not win; ignore the message.
• Never pay a fee, tax or courier charge to claim a prize.
• Block and report the sender through Chakshu.

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