FIFA Lottery Scam Targets Households With Fake £800,000 Prize Claims

Residents across North East England are being warned to stay alert after scammers began sending fake FIFA World Cup lottery letters promising huge cash prizes.

A woman in Northumberland recently received a fraudulent letter claiming she had won more than £800,000 in an alleged International FIFA World Cup Online Lottery. The scam uses fake FIFA branding to appear legitimate and pressures recipients into paying fees before they can supposedly claim their winnings.

🚨 Warning Signs of the Scam

• Claims you've won a lottery you never entered.
• Requests an upfront payment for taxes, insurance, or processing fees.
• Uses a short deadline, such as seven days, to create urgency.
• Asks for bank details or personal identification.

Local Trading Standards officials say similar scam letters have been reported in multiple areas, with major sporting events often giving fraudsters an opportunity to exploit public excitement.

Officials stress that real lotteries never ask winners to pay money upfront to receive a prize. If someone unexpectedly contacts you about a lottery win and demands a fee, it's almost certainly a scam.

How to Protect Yourself

• Do not respond to the letter or call the listed phone number.
• Never send money or share banking information or copies of your ID.
• Warn friends, family members, and especially older adults who may be more vulnerable to fraud.

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or lost money should report the incident to the appropriate fraud reporting authorities as soon as possible.