This is an editorial guide provided for information only. fortunegames.com is an online slots site and is not affiliated with, nor an agent of, BOTB, Omaze, Raffle House or any competition operator named. Prizes, odds, ticket prices and rules are set by the relevant operator and can change — always check the official site and terms for the latest details. Nothing here is legal, tax or financial advice.

How to Spot a Fake Competition

Genuine competitions are everywhere — but so are scams designed to steal money or data by dangling a prize. Here’s how to tell them apart.

The biggest red flags

  • You’re asked to pay a fee to "release" or "claim" a prize.
  • You’ve "won" a competition you never entered.
  • Contact comes from a free email address or random social account, not an official channel.
  • You’re pressured to act fast, or asked for card details, bank logins or passwords.
  • There are no terms, no named promoter and no closing date.

What a genuine competition looks like

Real operators publish clear terms and conditions, a named promoter, and a closing date. They contact winners through the details you registered, and they never charge you to claim. Prize draws will also show a genuine free entry route.

If in doubt

Don’t click links or send anything — go directly to the operator’s official website to check. See whether Facebook competitions are legit, whether online raffles are legit, and whether competition winners really exist.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know a competition is genuine?

Look for a named promoter, clear terms, a closing date, and contact only through official channels.

Will a real competition ask for a fee to claim?

No — being asked to pay to release a prize is a clear sign of a scam.

I was told I won a competition I never entered — is it a scam?

Almost certainly — genuine operators only contact people who actually entered.

Related guides: whether Facebook competitions are legit, whether online raffles are legit and whether competition winners really exist.