Scam Alert - Lottery Winner Scam

Beware of Lottery Winner Scams

We’ve recently received reports of a scam involving fake lottery winnings.

How the Scam Works

• Individuals are contacted and told they’ve won large sums of money, often through games like Mega Millions.
• The scammer then sends a check via overnight delivery and instructs the recipient to deposit it at their financial institution. These checks are fraudulent. Even if funds appear in your account initially, they will not clear.
• After the deposit is made, the victim is asked to send proof (such as a deposit slip photo) and follow additional instructions to “claim the rest” of their winnings.

Tips to Avoid Lottery Scams

• Never Pay Fees: Legitimate lotteries will never ask for bank account information, fees, or taxes up front to claim a prize.
• Verify Official Sources: Only purchase tickets from authorized Minnesota Lottery retailers, not via social media links.
• Unsolicited Contact: Be suspicious of emails, calls, or social media messages claiming you won a prize for a contest you never entered.
• Hang Up/Block: If you receive a suspicious call or message, hang up and report it to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

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