A text message or phone call claiming you’ve won a lottery prize can look convincing, especially when it uses official-sounding names, familiar logos, or a spoofed caller ID. In 2026, most lottery fraud relies on two things: urgency and confusion. The goal is to make you act before you verify anything.
Start with the basics: did you actually enter, and can they prove it?
A genuine win is tied to a real entry. If you never bought a ticket, never created an account, or never joined a draw, the safest assumption is that the contact is fraudulent. Scammers often say you were “randomly selected” or included via a “mobile number draw” to bypass the obvious question of entry.
Ask for verifiable details that do not expose you: the exact draw name, date, and the official procedure for verifying a claim. Do not provide your address, bank details, ID scans, or any one-time passcodes. A legitimate operator can explain the next step without needing sensitive information from you upfront.
Be wary of “proof” that is only screenshots, PDFs, or photos of certificates. Those are easy to forge. What matters is whether the information can be confirmed independently through official channels you find yourself, not through links, phone numbers, or email addresses supplied in the message.
Common fake setup lines that should put you on alert
Fraudsters like scripts that sound official but stay vague: “You have been selected”, “Your number was chosen”, “We attempted delivery of your prize”, or “Your winnings are on hold”. The language is designed to create a problem you must solve quickly.
Another classic sign is inconsistency: the “organiser” name changes between the SMS and the caller’s introduction, or the claimed lottery doesn’t match your country, currency, or usual ticketing method. Scams often mix brands and jurisdictions because the message is sent in bulk.
If they can’t tell you exactly how you entered, or they refuse to let you verify first, treat it as a scam. A real operator expects verification and will not pressure you to stay on the line, keep it secret, or stop you from calling back via an official number.
Check the contact method: spoofing, sender IDs, and link tricks
In 2026, caller ID and SMS sender names are not proof. Numbers can be spoofed, and messages can appear in the same thread as genuine texts if criminals imitate a sender label. A “known” name at the top of a message chain is a hint, not evidence.
Links are a major risk. Short links, misspellings, extra hyphens, unusual domains, and lookalike addresses are common. Never log in via a link from an unexpected message. Instead, open a browser and type the official site address yourself, or use a bookmarked link you already trust.
If the caller asks you to switch channels (WhatsApp, Telegram, private email) “for security”, that is usually a control tactic. Legitimate operators will have formal, consistent contact routes and clear public instructions for verifying claims.
Data they should never ask for in the first contact
Do not share one-time passcodes, banking app notifications, card numbers, PINs, or the full security answers you use for accounts. A fraudster may say they need it to “confirm identity” or “release the transfer”, but that is exactly how they take over accounts.
Be cautious with ID requests. Some lotteries may require identity checks at a later stage, but it should be done through a secure, documented process you can verify independently. A random caller demanding a passport photo by text or email is not a safe process.
Also avoid remote access requests. If you are told to install an app, share your screen, or allow remote control “to help with the claim”, end the conversation. This is a common route to draining bank accounts and locking you out of devices.
Money requests are the clearest giveaway: fees, “tax”, and delivery charges
A genuine lottery does not require you to pay an upfront fee to receive winnings. Scammers often invent “administration”, “processing”, “verification”, “tax”, or “courier” charges and then escalate the amount once you engage.
Watch for unusual payment methods. Requests for gift cards, prepaid vouchers, cryptocurrency, or transfers to a “secure account” are strong signs of fraud. The more irreversible the payment, the more likely it is a scam.
Even when a real process includes tax or identity checks, it won’t be handled through pressure tactics over the phone or by a link in a surprise SMS. If the message frames payment as the only way to proceed today, that urgency is part of the trick.
What to do immediately if you’re unsure (a safe verification routine)
Stop the interaction. Don’t argue, don’t “test” them, and don’t click anything. If it was a call, hang up. If it was an SMS, do not reply and do not follow any instructions inside it.
Verify using official sources you find yourself. Look up the lottery’s publicly listed contact details, then call back using that number (not the one that contacted you). If the message claims to be from the UK National Lottery, use the official “scams” guidance pages and contact routes rather than details provided in the message.
If you shared information or paid anything, act fast: contact your bank, change passwords on any affected accounts, and report the incident to the relevant national fraud reporting body. Keep screenshots, call times, and message content as evidence, but do not forward sensitive data to unknown parties.