They claim they want to share their winnings, but there’s a catch:
They ask the victim to pay a delivery fee so the money can be sent through FedEx or another courier and instruct them to contact a so-called “FedEx agent.”
That “agent” is fake — and once the fee is paid, the scammer disappears.
🚩 Why it’s a scam
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Real lottery winners do not personally contact strangers to give away money.
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Legitimate prizes never require someone to pay a “delivery,” “processing,” or “release” fee.
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Scammers often use fake courier emails, phone numbers, and tracking numbers to look legitimate.
⚠️ Common red flags
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The person says they’re a famous lottery winner giving away money.
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They tell the victim to pay a delivery or clearance fee first.
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They ask the victim to contact a “FedEx agent” or similar person.
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Payment is requested via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or prepaid cards.
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The messages are full of spelling errors and urgency (“Pay now to receive your funds!”).
🛑 What people should do
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Do not send any money.
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Do not share personal or banking information.
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Block and report the scammer’s profile or number.
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Report the scam to:
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The real courier company (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.) via their fraud page.
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Local police or national fraud hotlines (e.g., FTC, Action Fraud).
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If someone has already paid, they should contact their bank or payment provider immediately to report the fraud.
🧾 Example message (scam format)
“Hello, I am Julie Leach, a lottery winner. I am giving back to the community by sending $50,000 to lucky people. To receive your package, please pay the FedEx delivery fee of $250 to our agent and confirm your address.”
That is 100% fake.
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