• Victims receive a scratch card in postal mail or inside product packages claiming a big win.
• A fake customer service number is provided to “claim” the prize.
• Scammers sound professional and convincing while handling calls.
• Victims must pay taxes, insurance fees, or other charges before receiving the prize.
• The scam continues for weeks or months, with fraudsters finding excuses to ask for more payments.

2. Bengaluru Woman Duped of ₹18 Lakh (2024)

Steps of the Fraud:

1. Scratch Card Scam – The 45-year-old woman received a letter by post with a scratch card claiming she had won ₹15.51 lakh in a lucky draw. The letter looked professional, with a corporate logo and legal disclaimers.
2. Fake Customer Service Interaction – She called the provided helpline number, which was operated by fraudsters pretending to be lottery representatives. They spoke in a polished manner to sound professional.
3. Payment Requests for Taxes & Fees – She was asked to pay a series of fees such as GST, processing charges, and account verification fees to claim her winnings. The amounts were initially small (₹2,000-₹5,000) but kept increasing.
4. Multiple Transactions Over 3 Months – The woman made repeated payments over three months, convinced that her winnings were just about to be transferred. Each time she paid, scammers gave a new excuse for further payments.
5. Realization & Reporting to Cybercrime – After losing ₹18.4 lakh, she tried to visit the company’s address provided in the letter, only to find that it did not exist. She then filed a complaint with the Bengaluru Cybercrime Police.