WHAT IS A Lottery Scam?

Scratch-and-win scam

Victims are approached while shopping in Johor Bahru and invited to participate in a simple scratch-and-win promotion. They win a prize but must follow the scammer to their main office to collect it. Once at the office, the winners/victims are told to pay an administration charge or tax on the prize, which does not exist. They might even be asked to pay more money to join a grand draw with prizes such as cars or holidays. The scammers offer to accompany "winners" to an ATM in Singapore to collect the money. Once they receive the money, scammers tell victims that the prize is delayed and that they should return another time.

Lottery/lucky draw scam

Victims receive a phone call or SMS notification that they have won a prize in a lucky draw. Often, the prize is a car or a condominium unit overseas. To claim the prize, victims must pay administrative fees or taxes. Or to convert the prize into cash, victims must make payment to a foreign bank account.

In another variation of the lucky draw scam, victims receive a call to take part in a survey that qualifies them entry to a lucky draw. Victims subsequently win the draw, but must pay an administrative fee to claim the prize.