Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Fraud - "2018 WhatsApp Random Lottery Draws" Lotto Scam
Fraud - 2018 WhatsApp Random Lottery Draws Lotto Scam

There is no "2018 WhatsApp Random Lottery Draws". Therefore, online users who have received e-mail messages like the one below, which claim they are winners in such a WhatsApp lottery or promotion are asked not to follow the instructions in them because they are lottery scams being sent by scammers.

Every month, thousands of these email messages are sent out by lottery scammers to trick their potential victims into stealing their personal information and subsequently asking them to send money in order to receive their so-called lottery prize. Sending your personal information to these cyber-criminals will only help them rip you off or steal your money. Therefore, online users who have received the same email messages are asked to delete them.

The "2018 WhatsApp Random Lottery Draws" Scam

Dear Sir/Madam,

REF: WhatsApp/Mobile/RLD/768001.

Congratulations if you received a notification that your number has won a prize in the ongoing 2018 WhatsApp random lottery draws; this is an initiative put together by its renown founders and partners to appreciate the company’s loyal subscribers since inception.

This random lottery was drawn from over 1 billion people in over 180 countries currently using WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends and family as winners emerge through random selection of all active users of the app. WhatsApp is free and offers simple, secure, reliable messaging and calling, available on phones all over the world.

Winners are therefore required to send the below information by return e-mail to facilitate the release of their lottery prizes.

1. Full name:

2. Age:

3. Sex:

4. Winning number (WhatsApp mobile number) :

5. Alternate number:

6. Address:

7. Occupation:

Once we are able to verify your WhatsApp mobile number and match the above requested details, we will get back to you with the modalities on how to release your winning prize.

On behalf of our Facebook partner Mark Zuckerberg and both WhatsApp founders Jan Koum and Brian Acton, we wish to congratulate you once again on your lucky win.

NOTE! You MUST not disclose information about your winnings to anyone, you are only allowed to do so once your prize has been received by you as this is a strict measure to avoid double claim as have experienced lately.

Sincerely,

Mike Groover.

Claims/promotions officer

WhatsApp Inc.

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