Mega Millions lottery scams: why a surprise win means a fee is coming
Quick answer
If someone says you won the Mega Millions and asks you to pay anything first, it's a scam. The FBI describes it as an advance fee scam: you wire money to "secure" a prize that doesn't exist. Don't pay, don't share bank details, and report it at ic3.gov.
- Comes by
- Email, Text, Phone call, Mail
- Pretends to be
- Mega Millions
- First reported
- Latest official alert
- (FBI)
- Last updated
How it works
The FBI's Atlanta field office has warned about an advance fee scam built around the Mega Millions lottery. You get a message saying you've won. To collect, you're told to wire thousands of dollars to a "lottery official" to secure the winnings.
To make it look real, the scammers send documents with FBI and FDIC letterhead as supposed letters of authentication. In one case the FBI described, the victim also got a photo said to show three FBI agents. The FBI says neither agency provides "authentication" in lottery matters.
The point is the fee. Money sent by wire transfer or similar methods is almost impossible to halt or trace once it leaves your account. There is no prize behind it.
The scam also doubles as a way to collect your details. Anyone who answers may be asked for a bank account number, ID or address "to process the prize".
Red flags
- You "won" a lottery you never entered
- You have to pay a fee, tax or deposit before you can collect
- You're asked to pay by wire transfer or another method that is hard to reverse
- The message uses FBI, FDIC or other agency letterhead as "proof"
- You're asked for bank details or ID to claim a prize
- Pressure to reply quickly or keep the win secret
Example message
Congratulations, your email was selected as a Mega Millions winner of [amount]. To release your prize you must first send a processing fee. Reply to this message or contact our claims agent at [phone number] today.
What to do
- 1
Don't reply or pay
A real prize never costs money to collect. Don't send a fee, and don't click [link] or call the number in the message.
- 2
Block and delete
Block the sender. If it came by mail, you can throw it away or keep it for your report.
- 3
If you paid, contact your bank right away
Call the number on the back of your card or on your bank's website, say it was fraud, and ask whether the transfer can be stopped. Speed matters with wire transfers.
- 4
If you shared bank or ID details, lock things down
Tell your bank, change passwords on affected accounts and consider a credit freeze. Watch your statements for new activity.
- 5
Report it
File a report at ic3.gov and at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Include the message, any documents and payment details.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers get names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses from people-search sites and from data breaches. If a lottery message uses your real name or home address, that's often where it came from. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list you and removes you from them, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
Official alerts
Common Mega Millions scams
Frequently asked
Can you win the Mega Millions without buying a ticket?
No. A prize notice for a lottery you didn't enter is the first sign of an advance fee scam.
Does the FBI or FDIC verify lottery winners?
No. The FBI says neither agency provides "authentication" in lottery matters, so a letter with their letterhead is a red flag.
Why do they ask for a wire transfer?
The FBI notes that wire transfers and similar methods make it almost impossible to halt or trace a transaction.
I already sent money. What now?
Contact your bank immediately, then report it at ic3.gov and reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Sources
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