Lottery Scams - If You Didn’t Enter, You Didn’t Win
Online lottery scams are our focus for the third week of Fraud Prevention Month.
While lottery scams have historically arrived through traditional methods like mail and phone, they are increasingly being directed through online mechanisms like email, text messages, and social media.
Lottery scams trick victims into believing they have won a prize or lottery they never entered. To claim the winnings, victims are asked to pay fees, taxes, or charges upfront—but no prize ever exists. Often the messages look official and include logos, documentation, or fake certificates.
Recognize
Red flags that may indicate a lottery scam:
- You are notified that you’ve won a lottery or prize you did not enter
- A fee or tax is required to “claim” the prize
- Lottery prizes in Canada are not taxable, and no taxes or fees of any kind have to be paid to Canadian authorities on legitimate lottery winnings in Canada.
- Payment is requested through a hard-to-trace methods like wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
- You are asked to provide personal and/or banking information
- Messages create urgency and excitement to get you to act quickly
Reject
- Remember, you cannot win a lottery you didn’t enter - be cautious of unsolicited messages claiming you’ve won money or prizes
- Slow down and verify information by using official websites and phone numbers (DO NOT use the contact information provided by the potential scammer)
- Never pay upfront fees to receive a prize or winnings
- Do not click links or download attachments from unknown sources
- Never share personal or financial information with unknown individuals
Report
- If you have NOT suffered a loss, report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- If you have suffered a loss, report to the Lethbridge Police Service and your financial institution
More Resources:
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Western Canada Lottery Corporation - Identifying Lottery Scams website
- Lethbridge Police - Frauds and Scams website
- Online Safety Toolkit - Building Safer Communities partnership with the City of Lethbridge
Contact
Lethbridge Police Service
135 1 Avenue South
Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0A1
Hours for public access:
Monday to Friday - 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Closed weekends and statutory holidays
Non-Emergency Phone: 403-328-4444
General Inquiries Phone: 403-327-2210
Email: General Inquiries
(Not monitored 24/7. Call 403-328-4444 to report a crime or suspicious activity.)
BE ADVISED:
Reports made to Lethbridge Police phone lines, emails or social media channels cannot be submitted anonymously or confidentially. All messages are recorded and subject to full disclosure in court.
To report a crime anonymously:
- Attend the Lethbridge Police Service in-person to speak with an officer
- Contact Crime Stoppers to provide a tip about an unsolved case or suspected criminal activity