Is this text from a Powerball winner giving away money real?
Congratulations!🎉 My name is Edwin Castro verified Powerball jackpot winner of $2.04 Billion. I am donating $1,000,000.00 USD and a brand new 2025 car to 20 random individuals selected by automated machine spin ball as my own way of giving back. You have been selected! Reply YES to claim your blessing 🙏💰
Scam. You cannot win a lottery you never entered, and a real winner is not asked to send anything to receive their money. The FTC's line holds for every version of this: if you have to pay to get a prize, it is not a prize. The donation framing is a twist on the same machinery, because generosity is easier to accept than luck.
How to spot this scam
- It names a real lottery, Powerball or Mega Millions, and a real-sounding winner giving money away. Recognisable names are borrowed to buy credibility.
- You never entered. There is no mechanism by which a lottery you did not play produces a payout to your phone number.
- A fee, a tax or a processing charge is required before the money can be released. That is the entire scam, and it repeats once you pay.
- You are asked for bank details so the winnings can be deposited, which hands over the account instead.
- The reply goes to a personal messaging app rather than any official channel.
- There is secrecy or urgency: claim within 24 hours, do not discuss it.
- Payment is wanted in gift cards, crypto, a wire transfer or a payment app.
What to do now
- Ignore it and do not reply. Replying confirms the number is live and invites more.
- Never pay a fee to receive winnings. Genuine prizes are not conditional on a payment from you.
- Do not give bank details to release a payment. Money can be received without you handing over access.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and forward the text to 7726 (SPAM).
- If you already sent money, contact the payment provider at once and keep every receipt.
- Block the sender and delete the message so nobody else in the house acts on it.
What it looks like on your phone
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Private. Never sold, never tied to you.
Sources and reporting
Use official channels to confirm a suspicious request and report fraud.