How to tell if that ‘You’ve won the lottery’ message is a scam
· The South African
A real case from the UK shows exactly what these scams look like – and how South Africans can protect themselves.
Visit saltysenoritaaz.com for more information.
This lottery scam letter story started with a UK man who recently received a letter claiming he’d won a share of a major postcode lottery – despite never having played it in his life.
Suspicious from the start, he called the number listed on the letter using a fake name, and within minutes was told he’d “won” the equivalent of R8.6 million.
It’s a textbook example of how these scams work, and the same pattern shows up regularly here in South Africa too.
Warning sign 1: This lottery scam letter arrives out of nowhere
If a message says you’ve won a lottery you never played, that’s the biggest red flag any lottery scam letter gives away.
You cannot win a lottery you didn’t enter, whether it arrives by post, WhatsApp, SMS or email.
Warning sign 2: You’re asked to pay something first
Genuine winnings never require an upfront payment. National Lottery operators in South Africa, Sizekhaya, will never ask a winner to pay a fee, tax or shipping cost to release a prize.
Treat any message demanding money before you can ‘claim’ anything as fraudulent.
Warning sign 3: This lottery scam letter uses fake contact details
Real digital prize notifications for amounts above R249 000 trigger a follow-up within 24 hours. That message directs winners to a regional office, not a random phone number to call back.
If you’re ever unsure, contact the National Lottery Call Centre directly on 086 102 6000. Don’t reply to the number in the message itself.
What to do if it happens to you
Never send money, banking details or personal documents to claim a prize you didn’t know you’d entered for.
It’s a similar pattern to the Facebook Live lottery scams we’ve covered before, different platform, same trick.
I always say, if you don’t remember entering, you didn’t win, and recognising a lottery scam letter early could save someone a lot of heartache.
Have you or someone you know ever received one of these fake win notifications?
Let us know in the comments below Mzansi …
The South African is the first to publish Daily Lotto, Lotto and PowerBall results each evening. Check back at 21:00 for tonight’s results.