Congratulations! You have been selected as the winner of the International Online Lottery. Your prize is USD 1,500,000. To claim it you must pay a small release fee of $350 via gift card. Contact our claims agent today. Keep this confidential.
How it works
- A message announces a prize, lottery win, inheritance from a distant relative, or unclaimed funds in your name.
- To release the money you must pay a fee: tax, insurance, customs, “processing”. Later come further fees.
- You’re asked for ID and bank details “to transfer the winnings”. These are used for identity theft.
- There is no prize. The only money that moves is yours.
The tells
- You never entered a contest, and you weren’t expecting an inheritance.
- A fee to receive money. Genuine prizes don’t charge you to win.
- Strange wording, a generic greeting, and a free email address.
- Secrecy, and a deadline.
- Payment by gift card, wire transfer or crypto.
What to do
- Ignore it, and don’t reply or click anything.
- Search the exact wording. These scripts circulate for years.
- If you’ve paid, stop, and don’t pay “one more fee”. Contact your bank and report to your national fraud agency.
- If you gave ID or bank details, tell your bank and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze where you live.
Where to report it
Anywhere in the world
- Your bank or card provider. First, if money or card details are involved. Use the number on your card.
- The platform where it happened. Use its “Report” button: the marketplace, the messaging app, the social network.
- Your local police. If you’ve lost money, and for a reference number your bank may ask for.
- Your national fraud or consumer-protection agency. Search for it by country; use a government address (.gov or the equivalent).
United States
- Report to the FTC — The Federal Trade Commission’s fraud reporting site.
- Report internet-enabled crime to the FBI (IC3) — File even if you’re unsure it qualifies. IC3 will never contact you to ask for money.
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) — Free with most carriers.
Links last checked 2026-10-12.
United Kingdom
- Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk — Handled by the National Cyber Security Centre.
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726 — Free. Your mobile provider receives the report.
- Report Fraud (England and Wales) — If you’ve lost money or been hacked. Phone 0300 123 2040.
Links last checked 2026-10-12.
Canada
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Use its “Report fraud” page.
- Forward scam texts to 7726 — Free with most carriers.
Links last checked 2026-10-12.
Australia
- Scamwatch — Run by the national consumer regulator.
Links last checked 2026-10-12.