Lottery scams and fraud

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: 27 April 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.

Signs that a lottery may be a scam

be aware of lotteries that ask you to send cash overseas, phone an international number or premium rate number
look at how they are asking for payment. For example, find out if it is through a secure site or via payment gateways such as Paypal to an individual
under advertising codes, phrases such as 'winning will change your life' are prohibited as they advertise gambling as a solution to financial difficulties. If you see phrases like this, you should avoid taking part in the lottery
if you receive an email that is suspicious then look out for spelling errors and inconsistencies in the text as these emails can be fake. Fake emails may also contain mobile phone numbers 
if there is a link to a website for you to click on, do not click on it.  A genuine site can be found by typing in the website name. Look for ‘https’ at the start of the web address, this means it is a genuine address. You should also check if the email address has the same web address contained in it.

What to look out for before taking part

always check that the gambling business is licensed by us or a local authority
if the lottery claims to be raising funds for a well known charity, contact the charity beforehand to see if it is legitimate
if the lottery is being advertised on Facebook, check that the Facebook page is verified
you should not receive an email about a genuine lottery from a personal email address 
carefully read the wording of the post. Be cautious of exaggerated language such as 'you are one step away from a huge cash prize'.

Is there something odd or suspicious about a lottery you have seen?

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.

Winning a prize in a lottery that you did not enter

We do not notify people of lottery or competition wins. If you receive this type of notification it is a scam and you should not respond to it.

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.

Make sure that you do not:

respond to any advance payment requests and do not pay a fee before prize money is given to you. If you have given money already contact your bank and the police
send money or personal details to anyone who says that you have won a prize in a lottery or sweepstake that you have not entered
provide personal information such as your passport number, home address, telephone number or banking details.

Report a scam

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.