Alleged Online Scam Using Kerala Lottery Name on Instagram and WhatsApp; Public Advised to Stay Alert

Thiruvananthapuram: An alleged online scam involving the name of the Kerala State Lottery has raised concerns over misleading advertisements being circulated through social media and messaging platforms. According to a complaint received in connection with the matter, certain individuals are allegedly posting advertisements on Instagram and other social media platforms and directing people to contact them through WhatsApp numbers.

According to the complainant, the individuals allegedly offer lottery numbers through WhatsApp and subsequently inform customers that they have won a prize. They then allegedly demand additional payments in the name of processing the prize, taxes, bank formalities or other charges.

The complainant claims that several people have suffered financial losses in such transactions. It is also alleged that some individuals travelled to Thiruvananthapuram after being informed about lottery prizes but did not receive the promised payment. These claims require verification by the concerned authorities.

Allegations of Fake Documents

The complainant has further alleged that people involved in the suspected operation used documents appearing to represent Kerala Government Lottery identification cards, authorization letters, bank-related payment documents and tax-related papers to make the transactions appear genuine.

The complainant says that copies of the alleged documents, lottery ticket numbers, payment-related information and other evidence have been collected and can be submitted to the appropriate authorities for investigation. The authenticity and source of these documents, however, would need to be established through an official investigation.

Kerala Lottery Rules and Online Sales

According to the Kerala Lotteries Rules, sale of lottery tickets through the internet or any other medium requires prior written permission from the Director, while the rules also provide for the sale of physical lottery tickets. The official prize-claim procedure is based on the winning ticket and the documents prescribed by the department.

People are therefore advised to verify any lottery-related offer through official Kerala State Lottery channels before making payments. Requests for money in the name of prize processing, taxes, bank charges or other formalities should be treated with caution unless independently verified.

Public Awareness Urged

The complainant has urged the authorities to examine advertisements related to Kerala Lottery appearing on Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and other public-facing platforms and take appropriate action against fraudulent activities if established.

Members of the public are advised not to share sensitive banking information or transfer money merely on the basis of social media advertisements or messages claiming that they have won a Kerala Government Lottery prize.

Suspicious advertisements, phone numbers, bank details, documents, payment requests and other evidence can be preserved and submitted to the police or appropriate cybercrime authorities for investigation.

Note: The allegations regarding fraudulent activities and the use of allegedly fake documents in this report are based on information provided by the complainant. The involvement of specific individuals, organizations or locations, as well as the authenticity of the documents, should be established through an official investigation.