A lottery scam is a deceptive scheme tricking individuals into believing they’ve won a big lottery prize. Through an unexpected email, phone call, or even mail, the scam creates excitement and urgency by highlighting a large, fictional prize. To claim it, the victim is pressured to send money upfront, disguised as fees or taxes. Once money or personal information is shared, the scammers disappear, leaving the victim empty-handed. Legitimate lotteries never require upfront fees, so be wary of unexpected windfalls and protect your personal information.