Cybercriminals are constantly devising new ways to defraud unsuspecting individuals, and the latest scheme making rounds is the “PROTON LOTTERY” email scam. This fraudulent email claims that the recipient has won a substantial amount of money—$397,650. However, this is a phishing scam designed to steal personally identifiable information (PII) and potentially extort money under false pretenses.
Threat Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Threat Name | “PROTON LOTTERY” phishing email |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | Recipient has won $397,650 in a lottery |
| Symptoms | Unauthorized online purchases, changed account passwords, identity theft, financial fraud, illegal access to personal devices |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive emails, rogue pop-up ads, search engine poisoning, misspelled domains |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive personal and financial information, monetary loss, identity theft |
| Associated Email Addresses | rodney.stewartz@protonmail.com (may vary) |
| Detection Names | Phishing.EmailScam, Suspicious.Email.Fraud, Scam-Mail.Phishing |
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Understanding the “PROTON LOTTERY” Scam
How the Scam Works
The “PROTON LOTTERY” scam email arrives in the recipient’s inbox with an enticing subject line, such as:
Subject: $397,650.00 Your Email: [recipient’s_email_address] won
The email pretends to be from a lottery organization, stating that the recipient’s email was randomly selected in a lottery draw. To claim the winnings, the recipient is asked to provide their personal details, including:
- Full Name
- Contact Phone Number
- WhatsApp Number (if available)
- Home or Office Address
- Winning Amount
- Winning Number
Text of the Scam Email
PROTON LOTTERY Inc. (2025 Email Draw Program)
This e-mail was sent to: ********
CONGRATULATIONS!
We are pleased to inform you that your email ******** has been selected in our annual EMAIL LOTTERY DRAW and you have won $397,650.00 (Three hundred and ninety-seven thousand, six hundred and fifty US Dollars)
Your Winning Number is: #6509128-MLY
To claim your funds, kindly send the details below to our Funds Claim Departmental Officer, Mr. Rodney Stewartz at: rodney.stewartz@protonmail.com
* Full Name:
* Contact Phone Number:
* WhatsApp Number (If you have):
* Home or Office Address:
* Amount Won:
* Winning Number:
Send the above information to Mr. Rodney Stewartz (rodney.stewartz@protonmail.com) who will help you with the processing of your funds.
Best Regards,
PROTON LOTTERY Inc.How Victims Are Targeted
Scammers use deceptive tactics to trick victims into providing sensitive information, which can be used for:
- Identity Theft: Personal information collected can be used to commit fraud in the victim’s name.
- Financial Fraud: Victims may be asked to pay “processing fees” or “taxes” before receiving their winnings.
- Account Takeover: Stolen email addresses and phone numbers can be used to hack into personal accounts.
How to Remove the “PROTON LOTTERY” Scam Email
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Step 1: Delete the Email Immediately
If you receive the “PROTON LOTTERY” email, do not reply, and do not provide any personal information. Simply delete it.
Step 2: Block the Sender
Most email services allow users to block specific senders:
- Gmail: Click on the three dots in the email, then select “Block sender.”
- Outlook: Click “Junk” > “Block Sender.”
- Yahoo Mail: Click on the email, select “More options,” and choose “Block sender.”
Step 3: Report the Scam
Report the phishing email to your email provider and relevant authorities:
- Google: Report phishing via Gmail
- Microsoft Outlook: Forward the email to phishing@outlook.com
- FTC (USA): Report to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Europol (Europe): Report to https://www.europol.europa.eu
Step 4: Scan Your Device for Malware
Even if you haven’t clicked on anything, running a security scan is always a good precaution. Use a reliable anti-malware tool like SpyHunter to detect any hidden threats.
- Download and install SpyHunter.
- Run a full system scan.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to remove detected threats.
- Restart your device to complete the cleanup.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Future Scams
Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Emails
If you haven’t entered a lottery, you can’t win one. Ignore unexpected emails claiming you’ve won money.
Never Share Personal Information
Legitimate organizations will never ask for personal details via email. If an email asks for sensitive data, it’s likely a scam.
Verify Before You Trust
- Check for spelling and grammatical errors.
- Search the organization’s name online to see if it’s legitimate.
- Contact the company directly through official channels.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Securing your email with 2FA makes it harder for scammers to hijack your accounts.
Use Anti-Phishing Software
Installing a good anti-phishing tool, such as SpyHunter, can block malicious emails before they reach your inbox.
Conclusion
The “PROTON LOTTERY” email scam is a classic phishing attempt designed to steal personal and financial information. If you receive such an email, delete it immediately, block the sender, and report the scam. Always be cautious when dealing with unexpected prize notifications, and use security tools like SpyHunter to protect yourself from cyber threats.
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