How would they have gotten my address if I never entered anything?

Addresses circulate through lists, resold or from earlier data leaks. Receiving a message therefore proves nothing about having entered a contest, and the absence of entry is enough to conclude it's a scam.

I've already paid a sum. Is it reasonable to pay the last step to avoid losing everything?

No, and that's exactly the reasoning this method relies on. Sums already paid aren't recovered by paying more; each payment calls for another. The only action that limits the loss is stopping immediately.

Fake prize, fake lottery

In plain terms

You're told you've won something from a contest you never entered. To collect the prize, you first have to pay fees — and the prize never arrives, no matter how many times you pay.

Definition

The fake prize scam announces the award of a sum of money, a prize, or an inheritance, and makes handing it over conditional on paying fees beforehand — taxes, processing fees, transfer fees, or notary fees — which are the sole purpose of the fraud.

How it works

The message announces good news, which lowers your guard far more effectively than a threat: no one wonders why they're being given money. A dedicated contact then guides the process, often with courtesy and patience, which builds a relationship. Then a first sum comes due, justified by an obligation presented as administrative or tax-related. Once that first payment is made, one obstacle appears, then another: each new request is justified by the sums already paid, which makes giving up psychologically costly. The inheritance variant follows the same pattern, relying on a distant namesake, which makes family verification impossible and the story unverifiable.

Warning signs

Prize announced for a contest, draw, or lottery you didn't enter
Fees to pay before receiving the sum, whatever they're called
A single, very available contact, reachable outside business hours
Request for discretion toward friends, family, or your bank
Payment requested by bank transfer, cash wire, or prepaid cards
Official-looking documents sent as attachments, supposedly proving the process

How to verify

A real prize never requires an advance of funds: any fees are deducted from the sum owed. That rule alone is enough to settle it without checking anything else. A contest you didn't enter can't have selected you, and an inheritance concerning you goes through a notary you chose or who officially notifies you.

What to do

Don't pay any fees and stop all contact. Don't share an ID document, a bank account statement, or proof of address: these documents are later used to open accounts or credit lines in your name.

If it already happened

Stop all further payments, especially those presented as the last obstacle. Contact your bank: a recent transfer can sometimes be recalled. File a police report, keeping all the exchanges. Be wary of later contact offering to help recover the funds: it's frequently the same people under another identity.

Frequently asked questions

How would they have gotten my address if I never entered anything?: Addresses circulate through lists, resold or from earlier data leaks. Receiving a message therefore proves nothing about having entered a contest, and the absence of entry is enough to conclude it's a scam.
I've already paid a sum. Is it reasonable to pay the last step to avoid losing everything?: No, and that's exactly the reasoning this method relies on. Sums already paid aren't recovered by paying more; each payment calls for another. The only action that limits the loss is stopping immediately.

Official sources

Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr — Assistance and reporting (French government cybersecurity assistance service)

This article is part of the Financial fraud family. Last updated: 2026-09-02.