In short
An unsolicited communication says the recipient has won a lottery or large sum of money The objective is typically to collect escalating advance fees for nonexistent winnings.
What it is
The sender uses official-looking names/documents to make the winnings seem real. The victim is then pushed to pay processing, tax, clearance or conversion charges before the funds can supposedly be released.
How it starts
An unsolicited communication says the recipient has won a lottery or large sum of money.
What they tell you
The sender uses official-looking names/documents to make the winnings seem real
What they want you to do
Pay processing, tax, clearance or conversion charges before the funds can supposedly be released
How you lose money
collect escalating advance fees for nonexistent winnings
What happens next
After the first successful step, the fraudster may demand more money/information, deepen account or device access, or disappear.
Warning signs
greed | urgency | authority | trust | advance-fee fraud | forged documents
Where this is documented
India — officially documented by an Indian authority/regulator
How to avoid it
Do not pay fees, taxes or clearance charges to receive an unsolicited prize, inheritance or large fund; verify through an independent official channel.
If it already happened
Contact the bank/payment provider immediately if money moved; report financial cyber fraud promptly via 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in; preserve messages, transaction IDs, phone numbers and URLs.