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Be aware of the potential for lottery scams. This guide will help you spot these type of scams and help you to avoid fraudulent lotteries.
Published: 23 September 2020
Last updated: 27 August 2023
This version was printed or saved on: 14 November 2024
Online version: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-and-players/guide/lottery-scams-and-fraud
Overview: Be aware of the potential for lottery scams. This guide will help you spot scams and help you to avoid fraudulent lotteries.
There are certain indicators that you can look out for, and you should consider these before you take part in a lottery.
If you think a lottery is a scam, you need to report this to Action Fraud (opens in new tab).
If you think the lottery is illegal and should be running under a licence or a local authority registration, you should report it to us or the local authority responsible for the area it is operating from.
Claims that you have won a prize in a lottery you did not enter is one of the ways fraudsters can steal your money or identity.
Genuine lotteries will not ask you for payment in order to give you your prize.
If you think a lottery is a scam, you need to report it to Action Fraud (opens in new tab). You can also read more about lottery scams on the Action Fraud website.
However, the majority of these types of fraud operate from outside the United Kingdom and therefore police powers are very limited.