Legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes operators never require any type of payment in order to receive the prize.
Some consumers even apply for bank loans to make the payments.
These scam operators will go to great lengths to hook consumers - including calling four or more times a day. In a related scam, telemarketers will tell consumers that a particular foreign lottery is a scam or that a class action lawsuit has concluded. These people inform consumers that they are entitled to refunds or restitution, but first, the consumers must send payments to the telemarketers. In general, consumers should beware of any callers who ask for money up front. Attorney General Stovall's Consumer Protection division also has received calls from concerned family members of consumers who have sent money or are being coerced to send it.