The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) of South Africa issued a warning in relation to fraudulent lottery messages that have been circulating. According to the National Lotteries Commission of South Africa, fraudulent messages regarding lottery winnings have been circulating. In the message, it is stated that the receiver of the message has won a lottery prize in a lottery that does not exist. Recipients are instructed to send their full names to [email protected]. The commission has described the message as entirely fraudulent.
Phishing scam targets personal information
The NLC says the message is a phishing attempt with no connection to the regulator. It warned that the email address in use is not an official or valid contact. The commission stressed that it does not contact winners in this manner.
In its advisory, the National Lotteries Commission clarified its operating procedures. It does not request personal information through unofficial emails. It also does not notify winners directly using private email accounts.
The regulator urged recipients to ignore and delete such messages immediately. Engaging with the sender could expose individuals to identity theft. The NLC said scammers are primarily seeking sensitive personal information.
Clarifying the NLC’s official role
The commission reminded the public of its statutory mandate. The NLC was established in accordance with the Lotteries Act 57 of 1997, as amended. Its core responsibility is regulating the national lottery, other lotteries, and sports pools.
Beyond regulation, the NLC also oversees the distribution of lottery proceeds. Revenue is apportioned to good causes through the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF). This function underpins the social purpose of the national lottery framework. The commission emphasised what it does not do. The NLC does not sell lottery tickets. It also does not operate lottery games directly.
Lottery operators and public confusion
Operational responsibility lies with the designated national lottery operator. Currently, that role is Ithuba’s, which will be replaced by Sizekhaya next year.
The NLC said confusion between operators and regulators often enables scams. Fraudsters exploit the limited public understanding of institutional roles. Clear communication remains central to preventing such abuse.
The commission reiterated that legitimate lottery communication follows strict protocols. Winners do not need to pay fees or submit details via informal emails. Any deviation from these processes should raise immediate concern.
A recurring problem
This is not the first time the NLC has issued such a warning. Similar scam messages surfaced a few months ago. Those messages used a different email address but followed the same pattern. The repetition highlights the persistence of lottery-related fraud.
Scammers continue adapting messages to appear credible. Public vigilance remains the most effective defence. The NLC has again advised the public not to respond to suspicious messages. Any request for personal information linked to lottery winnings should be treated cautiously. The commission encouraged South Africans to verify information through official channels only.
Don’t just read the news — stay ahead of it. Subscribe HERE to SiGMA’s Top 10 News countdown for stories shaping iGaming’s future, weekly insights from the world’s biggest iGaming community, and exclusive subscriber-only offers.
