The Email Says You've Won $5 Million: Now, Please Pay This $500 Advance Claims Fee

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That's how the scam starts. An ordinary email telling you that your win has passed through to the accounting department, but the legal team require a 'claim fee' or deposit so they can send it you.

It takes many forms, but the essence of this email or letter is that you have to pay up front to get your win. To make it look legitimate, these scammers often throw in some information to make it look real:


Source: Cyren 

- The draw number, date of the draw, the winning numbers and the jackpot amount.
- An official logo of a lottery organisation.
- A real address of the lottery organisation.

So here's three questions you must ask yourself before shouting out in glee:

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What This 84 Year-Old $590 Million Powerball Winner Did Wrong

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Newspaper and internet media photos showed a composed, slightly smiling older woman being shepherded from the lottery office.

She looked fairly relaxed for someone who decided to receive her winnings in a lump-sum payment... an astounding $370.8 million before taxes.

The woman behind this week's second largest USA Powerball jackpot did a few things right when claiming her prize.

But a few things wrong too. The 84 year-old Florida woman will have a few problems over her win, and here's one of them:

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WISE WORDS: The Hidden Traps You Can Fall Into After Winning The Lottery

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New Jersey Powerball winner Pedro Quezada won a record $338 million. Under current laws he won't be able to keep his identity secret. Photo

When you win a substantial lottery prize, you need to keep your head down.

Security is ultra important so you don't get targeted by crooks, scam artists and begging letter writers.

In many countries you are required to give permission for releasing your private details as part of the winning contract.

But in the USA there are only 5 states which won't publish your private information:

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