Fake Lottery Scams Are Spiking in Russia—And They're Coming for Your Card Info

Russia’s cybercriminals have a new trick up their sleeves—fake online lotteries, dressed up like quick wins, but rigged to drain your bank account

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is sounding the alarm, warning citizens to stay away from too-good-to-be-true giveaways circulating across social media and messaging apps.

Here’s how the scam works: victims land on a slick, fake lottery site. They’re prompted to open virtual “prize boxes.” The first couple tries come up empty, but—like clockwork—on the third attempt, the system announces a fake jackpot. All you have to do to claim your “prize”? Enter your card details.

That’s where the con kicks in. Instead of receiving a payout, victims get hit with unauthorized withdrawals—or worse, find themselves saddled with a loan they never asked for.

Police emphasize that even in 2025, the basics still apply: Never share your card info on unverified sites. Never click shady links from random messages. And if you think you’ve been scammed? Lock your card immediately and alert both your bank and law enforcement.

In an age of deepfakes and AI-generated grift, the newest scams look more real than ever. But one rule hasn’t changed: if it looks like a jackpot for doing nothing, it’s probably a trap.