The VA lottery is warning players nationwide about aggressive scammers impersonating Mega Millions online as the $80 million jackpot drawing set for Tuesday, December 16 draws closer. Lottery officials released an alert after discovering criminals using the game’s official logo to promote fake “special drawings” designed to trick unsuspecting players out of money and personal information. This scam targets millions of lottery enthusiasts across the country every day.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Mega Millions drawing scheduled for Tuesday, December 16 at 11 p.m. ET with an $80 million estimated jackpot and $36.2 million cash option
- Scammers use fake “special drawings” posted on social media with official logos to impersonate legitimate Mega Millions promotions
- Khalid Jones, Executive Director of the Virginia Lottery and Mega Millions Lead Director, issued the warning on December 15, 2025
- Criminals ask victims for money for fake “taxes” and “fees,” click malicious links, provide bank account numbers, or send counterfeit checks
How Scammers Impersonate Mega Millions
Nintendo Switch deals on Amazon slash prices up to 50%: best buys to snag before summer ends
Razer gaming chair wows with RGB but leaves users sore: poor neck and lumbar support
Criminals are using sophisticated methods to make their fake promotions look legitimate. They steal Mega Millions logos, photos, and language directly from the official website to create convincing but fraudulent social media posts. These fake accounts claim winners have been selected for special international drawings with massive prizes. Scammers often use profile images and usernames that appear official but are completely unauthorized.
The scams come in many forms. Some criminals contact people directly claiming they’ve already won, others trick people into buying fake “tickets” for nonexistent drawings, and some falsely identify themselves as Mega Millions representatives or state lottery officials. The common thread is convincing victims that they’ve won a large prize that doesn’t actually exist.
The Money Grab: What Happens Next
Edifier G5 Max: 305-hour battery and immersive gaming sound for a surprisingly low price
Asus ROG Swift OLED: blazing OLED display promises competitive gamers a clear edge
Once a victim believes they’ve won, scammers employ multiple tactics to extract money or personal information. “These criminals use a lot of tricks to create the appearance of legitimacy,” according to Khalid Jones. They may request victims click suspicious links that download malware, demand fees claimed to be “taxes” or “processing fees” to collect winnings, or ask for bank account numbers for direct deposit of fake prizes.
Some scammers send counterfeit checks and convince victims the windfall is real by asking them to send money upfront to cover expenses. The victim only discovers the check is fake after their own money has been sent. In other cases, criminals use technology to disguise their phone numbers so calls appear to come from your area code, making the scam feel local and trustworthy.
Red Flags Every Player Should Know
| Red Flag Warning | What to Look For |
| You Never Played | Being told you won a lottery you never purchased a ticket for |
| Money Required | Requests to pay fees, taxes, or shipping to collect your “winnings” |
| Grammar & Spelling | Messages with misspellings, poor grammar, or awkward phrasing |
| Foreign Area Code | Phone calls appearing to come from outside the United States |
| Secrecy Demands | Being told to keep your “win” confidential or secret |
| Bank Account Offers | Asked to provide bank account information for direct deposit |
How to Protect Yourself Before the Tuesday Drawing
Players should immediately verify any lottery promotion through official websites. Go directly to MegaMillions.com or VALottery.com instead of clicking links in messages. Real lotteries never ask winners to pay fees upfront, and legitimate lottery officials never contact players about winnings through calls, texts, or emails. No legitimate lottery tells winners to put their own money in order to collect a prize they’ve already won.
Never share personal information, bank account details, or Social Security numbers through messages, phone calls, or suspicious links. If you see fake lottery promotions on social media, report them immediately. If you receive a suspicious message, hang up or disconnect immediately rather than trying to “catch” the scammer—your engagement just confirms your number is active and gets shared with other scam networks.
What Should Legitimate Mega Millions Players Do Before Tuesday?
Legitimate players can safely enjoy the $80 million Mega Millions drawing tonight by purchasing tickets through authorized retailers or official state lottery websites only. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, but there are multiple prize tiers including a Match 5 prize worth up to $5 million. If you purchase a physical ticket, sign the back immediately to establish ownership, keep it in a safe place, and use the official Virginia Lottery scanning tools to check for wins before claiming.
According to the Virginia Lottery, players can report suspected fraudulent activity to the Virginia Attorney General’s office at [email protected] or file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). If you’ve been victimized by a lottery scam, contact your local police or sheriff’s office immediately.
Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.