Google Lotto scam

 

GOLDEN RULES:

  1. Slow it down - Scams are often designed to create a sense of urgency. Take time to ask questions and think it through.
  2. Spot check - Do your research to double check the details you are getting. Does what they’re telling you make sense?
  3. Stop! Don’t send - No reputable person or agency will ever demand payment or your personal information on the spot.

 

You receive an email claiming that you've won a Google Lottery and are asked for personal details.  In some cases the scammers also impersonate customs or tax officials and will ask you to provide additional information or pay a fee to release the funds (such as a money release fee, currency exchange, courier or shipping fees, tax fees, etc.).

Google does not run lotteries, and your email address has not been selected to win a prize. Do not reply back with your personal details.

Lotto Scam Notification Example:

Resources:

  • Report the email as spam or phishing to your email provider. If you have Gmail, learn how to report spam and report phishing.
  • If the email was sent from a Gmail address, you can report abuse to help Google take appropriate action on accounts involved in this scam.
  • Spam: The abuse of electronic messaging systems to indiscriminately send unsolicited bulk messages.
  • Phishing: Phishing is a type of online fraud where someone tries to trick the victim into revealing sensitive details such as a username, password or credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

 

Was this helpful?

How can we improve it?
false
Google apps
Main menu
8944587422784762852
true
Search Help Center
true
true
true
true
true
5016068
false
false