I got prize winning offer from international lottery and a claim form.What is their game?

Answer 1

It's a scam. No one ever writes you to give you free money unless you entered a competition and beat the odds and won. There is no pot of gold waiting for you from some mythical international lottery you never entered.

Answer 2

I get these "prize" claim forms in my regular mail and by e-mail. They are likely NOT legitimate. Here is a way to tell if they are legit or not. Ask yourself the following:
1 - Did YOU enter their contest?

2 - Look CLOSELY at their "prize claim form".
Do they request that you pay ANY money for "shipping" or "handling" or "processing" charges? If so, they are FRAUDULENT. ANYTIME you win a legitimate contest, you will NEVER have to pay any of the above nonsense fees.

3 - Do they ask you for ANY bank or financial data? NEVER EVER give your bank or private data to ANYONE who has solicited you first.
((If YOU solicited them FIRST that's a different story))

4 - Do they ask you to send them your PERSONAL CHECK, or VOIDED DEPOSIT SLIP? If so, they are a SCAM. THAT is how they would access your bank account.

5 - Because they sent you a "prize check" I strongly suspect that they are hoping you will try to deposit that at your bank. I also believe that ONCE YOU ATTEMPT to cash/desposit the check THEY WILL HAVE YOUR BANK INFO. Your act of cashing/depositing the check implies that you are giving them permission to your bank info. ((The bank will write your account number on their check & the check will be sent back to the sender))


** SCARY STUFF **
I did NOT know this but here is a quote from the Federal Trade Commission website "If you play a foreign lottery — through the mail or over the telephone — you’re violating federal law."
Here is their link http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/intlalrt.htm

Be happy & be safe.
If you want to check for dates that scams are likely, or obtain best dates to enter contests, etc., http://www.AstroWishes.com has a wealth of information.

Answer 3

It's a scam. Don't fill it out, they are just trying to get your personal information. I win ligitimate prizes all the time (very big into contests) and you can't win a lottery or contest you never entered. Best thing to do is tear up the form and throw it away.

Answer 4

It is part of a type of scamming called "419", which refers to the relevant section of the Nigerian Civil Code. Check it out at this site.
http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/

Also, just search for any of the names in the email or letter that you received and you can see some great sites with info. There are even site that bait the 419ers, and that is just funny.

Answer 5

Sorry friend. If you did not buy a ticket remember this.You don't get anything for nothing, it's a scam do not answer do not give personal information.f you look for scams there are many sites giving more information. The iinternet is safe enough if you are careful but please answer nothing that you are doubtful about.Good Luck and be careful.

Answer 6

If you send them (or me, if you'd prefer! I know I'd prefer!) your bank account details so they can draft a "handling fee" of some hundreds of dollars (read "empty your account"). they PROMISE they'll wire you the millions you have won in this lottery you never entered!

Answer 7

i dont know but if i were u i wud be very very careful it sounds like a scam, do u remember entering any cintest or signing up for anything? try to look them up on line..be very wary of scams!

Answer 8

i got a similar form too and i haven't got a clue what to do.if you find out kindly do tell me too.But i think that its just a game to grab money from people.

Answer 9

Its a scam. Spam those emails and don't give them any kind of info.

Answer 10

It's a scam and they want your money....