{"id":177,"date":"2026-11-01T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T01:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/?p=177"},"modified":"2026-11-01T07:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T01:30:00","slug":"lottery-prize-processing-fee-scam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/lottery-prize-processing-fee-scam\/","title":{"rendered":"Lottery Processing Fee Scam: How Fake Prize Calls Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A lottery processing fee scam starts when someone claims that your Nagaland or Dear lottery ticket has won a large prize and asks you to pay before the money is released. The demand may be called GST, TDS, verification, courier, account-opening or a refundable processing fee, but an unexpected request to send money is the warning sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide explains the usual call script, the UPI and QR-code trick, and what to do if you have already paid. For genuine result information, use a trusted state-lottery source; our <a href=\"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/nagaland-state-lottery-result\">Nagaland state lottery result page<\/a> is an independent information page, not a government or lottery-operator website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the fee scam call goes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The scam usually unfolds in stages. The caller wants you to believe that the prize is real before asking for a small payment. Once you pay, a second person or a new number often appears with another reason for sending more money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li><strong>An unexpected message or call arrives.<\/strong> The person says your mobile number, ticket number or name has been selected for a Dear or Nagaland lottery prize. You may receive a WhatsApp message, a letter image, a voice call or a fabricated certificate.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>The caller creates urgency.<\/strong> You are told to pay today, keep the news secret, or risk losing the prize. The caller may say that a senior officer, lottery board or bank representative is waiting.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>A fee is introduced.<\/strong> The first demand may be labelled GST, TDS, income tax, file charge, courier charge, stamp fee, account verification or processing fee. The amount is kept small compared with the promised prize.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Payment details are sent.<\/strong> The caller shares a personal UPI ID, bank account, payment link or QR code. The account name may not match the organisation being mentioned.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>More demands follow.<\/strong> After the first transfer, the scammer says the payment was short, the account is blocked, or a refundable deposit is needed. A genuine prize never becomes more genuine because you have already paid once.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Delhi Police describes this pattern in its lottery-fraud guidance: victims are asked for processing or GST payments, then pressured for more deposits. It also advises keeping copies of messages, screenshots and transaction records for a complaint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"ap-note\"><p>If you did not knowingly enter a particular draw, treat an unexpected prize call as suspicious. Do not call a second number supplied in the message or transfer a \u201csmall\u201d amount to test the claim.<\/p><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why a real lottery never asks you to pay first<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The important question is not whether the caller knows your name or sends a convincing document. Ask why a person claiming to release a prize needs your personal UPI transfer before the prize can be paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For lottery winnings covered by Section 194B, the Income Tax Department says the person responsible for paying the winnings deducts income tax at the time of payment, subject to the applicable rules. That is different from a caller asking you to send TDS or GST to an unrelated UPI ID. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.incometaxindia.gov.in\/w\/section-194b-52\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Income Tax Department\u2019s Section 194B page<\/a> and check current rules before making any tax decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A legitimate claim process should not require you to send an advance processing fee to a stranger before the prize can be released. If someone insists on an upfront payment, stop the conversation and verify the claim through a channel you found independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table ap-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>What the caller says<\/th><th>What you should understand<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u201cPay TDS before we release the prize.\u201d<\/td><td>TDS is normally connected to the payment of applicable winnings; an advance UPI demand is a major scam signal.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u201cThis GST amount is refundable.\u201d<\/td><td>\u201cRefundable\u201d does not make an unknown recipient legitimate. Do not pay to unlock a promised payment.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u201cSend \u20b95,000 to verify your ticket.\u201d<\/td><td>A payment does not prove that the caller has a valid ticket or prize record.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u201cUse this QR code to receive the money.\u201d<\/td><td>Scanning a QR code can take you into a payment flow. Receiving money does not require entering your UPI PIN.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u201cDo not tell your family or bank.\u201d<\/td><td>Secrecy and urgency are pressure tactics. Stop and verify through an independent source.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tax on lottery winnings can depend on the prize and the current law. Do not use a caller\u2019s percentage, screenshot or verbal explanation as tax advice. If you genuinely hold a winning ticket, verify the claim through the lottery\u2019s published process and use a qualified tax professional for personal advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The UPI and QR-code trick<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A QR code is not proof that the person sending it represents a lottery operator. It is simply a way to start a payment or other UPI action. Scanning a code supplied during an unsolicited call can open a request where the amount and recipient are easy to miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep these rules in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>Never enter your UPI PIN to receive a prize, refund or incoming payment.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Before approving anything, read the recipient name and amount shown in your UPI app.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Do not approve a collect request sent by an unknown number.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Do not share your UPI PIN, OTP, card PIN, CVV, internet-banking password or screen-sharing access.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Do not install a remote-access app because a caller says it is needed for verification.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Do not click a payment link sent by WhatsApp or SMS until you have independently checked who sent it.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your UPI app shows a debit, take a screenshot immediately and note the transaction ID, date, time, amount and recipient. Do not assume that a failed or pending screen means no money moved; check your bank statement and transaction history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to do if you already paid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Act quickly, but do not pay another fee to \u201crecover\u201d the first payment. Recovery scammers often contact victims after seeing a complaint or hearing that money was lost, and promise a refund for another advance charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li><strong>Stop the conversation.<\/strong> Do not argue with the caller and do not warn them that you are reporting them. Save the number, profile, messages and voice notes first, then block the contact if needed.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Call your bank and payment app.<\/strong> Use the number inside the official app, on your bank card or on the bank\u2019s own website. Report the unauthorised or fraudulent transaction and ask what immediate account protections are available.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Call 1930.<\/strong> The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal tells people to use 1930 for online financial fraud. Keep your mobile number, bank or UPI details, transaction ID, amount and time ready.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>File the online complaint.<\/strong> Use <a href=\"https:\/\/cybercrime.gov.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cybercrime.gov.in<\/a> and select the financial-fraud reporting option. Give a clear timeline and upload the evidence requested by the portal.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Secure exposed accounts.<\/strong> If you shared a password, change it from a safe device. If you installed an unknown app or gave screen access, uninstall it, review recent activity and contact your bank.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Preserve evidence.<\/strong> Keep original screenshots, payment confirmations, call logs, email headers, account numbers, UPI IDs and links. Do not edit the files or delete the conversation before saving copies.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reporting does not guarantee that money will be recovered, but early reporting gives the bank and authorities more useful transaction information. If the loss is significant or you need help preparing a complaint, contact your local police station as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to report the caller, even if you did not pay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can still report a suspicious message or call that attempted to trick you. This helps create a record of the phone number, WhatsApp account, SMS sender or website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a payment that has already happened, call <strong>1930 first<\/strong> and then submit the details on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Use the portal\u2019s financial-fraud route rather than waiting for the caller to make another demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a suspicious call, SMS or WhatsApp message where you have not yet lost money, use the Department of Telecommunications\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/sancharsaathi.gov.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sanchar Saathi portal<\/a> and its Chakshu facility. Keep the communication screenshot, sender number, date, time and the reason you believe it is fraudulent. Do not forward the scam to other people as a warning; share the information through the reporting channel instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When writing the complaint, avoid guesses. State what the person said, what payment was requested, which account or UPI ID was supplied, and whether you clicked a link, shared a document or installed an app. Accurate details are more useful than a long description of how convincing the caller sounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to verify a claimed Nagaland or Dear lottery prize<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not use the caller\u2019s link, phone number or document as the only source of verification. Use a result or claim channel that you found independently, and compare the ticket details with the published draw information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our <a href=\"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/nagaland-state-lottery-result\">Nagaland state lottery result guide<\/a> can help you check result information, but it is not the state lottery operator. You can also learn more about the site\u2019s role on our <a href=\"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/about-us\">About Us page<\/a>. A result page can help you check a draw; it does not make a caller\u2019s request for an upfront fee legitimate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before sharing any document, ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>Do I actually have a ticket for the named draw and date?<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Does the ticket number and series match the published result?<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Can the claimed prize process be verified through an independently found state or operator channel?<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Is the caller asking for money, a UPI PIN, OTP, password or remote access?<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Is the caller using pressure, secrecy or a deadline that I cannot verify?<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the answer to the last two questions is yes, stop. Never send an Aadhaar copy, PAN details, bank statement or selfie just because a caller says it is required to release an unexpected prize. A real claim process may require identity and ticket documents through a defined channel, but that is not permission to share them with an unverified caller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common mistakes that make the scam worse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first mistake is paying a small amount because it feels safer than losing a large prize. The small amount is the test: once the scammer knows that you will pay, the next request can be larger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second mistake is trusting a logo, seal or PDF. Images are easy to copy and edit. A document is not independent verification, especially when the contact details printed on it lead back to the same caller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third mistake is searching only the phone number supplied by the caller. Search results, social profiles and forwarded messages can be manipulated. Find the organisation\u2019s website or public contact channel separately and do not use the caller\u2019s link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fourth mistake is deleting evidence out of embarrassment. A scam is designed to create pressure, and reporting it quickly is more useful than hiding it. Save the information, tell someone you trust and contact your bank or 1930.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is a lottery processing fee scam common?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is a known fraud pattern in which a caller promises a lottery or prize and asks for tax, GST, processing or transfer money before payment. Delhi Police and other government safety advisories describe the same staged demand-and-payment method. An unexpected call plus an advance fee request should be treated as a scam attempt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I have to pay TDS upfront to receive a lottery prize?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not send TDS to an unknown person or UPI ID because a caller demands it. Section 194B describes tax deduction by the person responsible for paying applicable lottery winnings at the time of payment, subject to the law and prize type; check the current rules and take professional tax advice for your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I scan a QR code to receive lottery money?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No unsolicited QR code should be treated as a safe way to receive a prize. Receiving money does not require your UPI PIN, while scanning and approving a code can begin a payment; cancel the request if the recipient or amount is unexpected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I do after sending money to a fake lottery caller?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Call your bank or payment provider through its official channel, call 1930, and report the incident at cybercrime.gov.in. Save the transaction ID, UPI ID, screenshots, caller details and timeline, and do not send another payment to a person promising recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I report a suspicious prize call if I did not pay?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Report attempted fraud communication through the Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi, including the number, medium, date, time and screenshots. If money was lost or bank details were misused, use 1930 and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"lsa-post-disclaimer\">lotterysambadapp.com is an independent information website. We are not connected to any state government or lottery operator. Results are for information only &#8211; always verify with the official state lottery result before claiming a prize. Lotteries are for adults (18+) and only where legal in your state. Play responsibly; never spend money you cannot afford to lose.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is a lottery processing fee scam common?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"It is a known fraud pattern in which a caller promises a lottery or prize and asks for tax, GST, processing or transfer money before payment. 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If money was lost or bank details were misused, use 1930 and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal as well.\"}}]}<\/script>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Learn how the lottery processing fee scam uses fake Nagaland or Dear lottery calls, GST claims and UPI QR codes, plus what to do and how to report it.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":176,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[107,16,28,38,122],"class_list":["post-177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-safety-scam-alerts","tag-cyber-fraud","tag-dear-lottery","tag-lottery-scam","tag-nagaland-lottery","tag-upi-safety","cs-entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":366,"href":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177\/revisions\/366"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/176"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotterysambadapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}