5 Common Lottery Scams & How to Avoid Them

With the popularity of the Nagaland State Lottery ("Dear Lottery"), scammers have found new ways to target innocent people. If you receive a call or message saying you won, pause and read this.

1. The WhatsApp "KBC" Scam

The Scam: You receive a WhatsApp image showing a poster of Amitabh Bachchan or Prime Minister Modi, claiming your mobile number won ₹25 Lakhs.

The Reality: This is 100% fake. Lotteries are based on physical ticket numbers, not mobile numbers. Legitimate lotteries never contact winners via WhatsApp.

2. Processing Fee Demand

The Scam: "You have won ₹1 Crore! But to release the funds, you must pay ₹15,000 as GST/Processing Fee immediately."

The Reality: Real lottery taxes (TDS) are deducted from the winning amount. You never have to pay money to get money. If someone asks for an upfront payment, block them.

3. The Fake Ticket Photo

The Scam: Someone sends you a photo of a ticket that matches the 1st Prize number, claiming they want to sell it to you for cheap because they don't have a bank account.

The Reality: The photo is photoshopped. Never buy a "winning" ticket from a stranger. Always buy fresh tickets from an authorized agent.

4. Fake Websites

The Scam: A website asks you to enter your bank details to "check if you won."

The Reality: Only use trusted sites like LotterySambad.info to check results. We never ask for your bank details or personal info.

What to do if scammed?

If you have lost money to these frauds, immediately contact the Cyber Crime Portal of India (1930) or visit cybercrime.gov.in to file a complaint.