Fake Lottery/Prize Scam
फर्जी लॉटरी/इनाम स्कैम
INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team ·
Category: Lottery
Verdict Summary
Fake Lottery/Prize Scam is a confirmed scam. Do not engage — block the sender and report to 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline) immediately.
Risk score: 10/10 · Severity: Critical · Verdict: Dangerous
Scam Intelligence: Fake Lottery/Prize Scam
Proprietary signals from BharatSecure's scam-tracking database.
| Scans & lookups | 1 |
| Community reports | 1 report |
| Last reported | Mar 13, 2026 |
| First documented | Mar 13, 2026 |
How Fake Lottery/Prize Scam Works
This message is a classic KBC lottery scam prevalent in India, promising a Rs 25 lakh prize and requiring a 'small fee' to claim it, which is a common tactic to extract upfront payments for fake taxes or processing fees via UPI apps like a payments app[1][2][3]. Government bodies like PIB have explicitly fact-checked and warned against identical 'KBC lottery with Rs 25 lakh reward' frauds spread via WhatsApp, where victims lose lakhs after multiple transactions[3]. No legitimate lottery demands advance fees, making this extremely dangerous.
Who Does Fake Lottery/Prize Scam Target?
General public across India
What To Do If You Encounter Fake Lottery/Prize Scam
- Do not click any links or share personal information
- Block and report the sender immediately
- Report at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930
- Inform your bank if financial details were shared
How to Report Fake Lottery/Prize Scam in India
- Call 1930 — National Cyber Crime Helpline (24x7)
- File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in
- Contact your bank immediately if money was lost
- Call RBI helpline: 14440 for banking fraud
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Fake Lottery/Prize Scam?
- Fake Lottery/Prize Scam is a reported lottery scam that BharatSecure has documented as affecting Indian users. Fraudsters use it to trick victims into sharing money, OTPs, or personal and banking details. It currently carries a risk rating of 10/10 (Critical).
- Is Fake Lottery/Prize Scam dangerous, and how common is it in India?
- Yes. This scam is rated Critical severity (10/10) because it can lead to direct financial loss or identity theft. It spreads through SMS, WhatsApp, phone calls, and fake websites, and variants are reported across India throughout the year. Treat any unexpected message or call matching this pattern as suspicious until verified.
- How can I protect myself from Fake Lottery/Prize Scam?
- Do not click any links or share personal information Block and report the sender immediately Report at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 Inform your bank if financial details were shared Never share OTPs, UPI PINs, card numbers, or passwords; verify any request independently using official numbers from the company's real website; and avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages.
- How do I report Fake Lottery/Prize Scam in India?
- Call 1930 (the National Cyber Crime Helpline) within 24 hours for the best chance of recovering funds, and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with screenshots and transaction details. Notify your bank's fraud team to freeze transactions, and report the suspect UPI ID or phone number to BharatSecure so other users can be warned.
Related Scams in India
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