“PROTON LOTTERY” Email Scam – A Dangerous Phishing Threat

In the digital age, cybercriminals continuously devise new methods to trick unsuspecting victims into divulging personal and financial information. The “PROTON LOTTERY” email scam is one such deceptive scheme designed to lure recipients into believing they have won a massive sum of money—$397,650, to be exact. However, this email is nothing more than a phishing scam intended to steal personally identifiable information (PII) and, in some cases, trick victims into sending money under false pretenses.

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Summary of the “PROTON LOTTERY” Scam

To provide a clear understanding of this phishing scam, here’s a summary table detailing its key characteristics:

Threat Name	“PROTON LOTTERY” Phishing Email Scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Recipient has won $397,650 in a lottery
Email Subject	“$397,650.00 Your Email: [recipient’s email] won”
Scammer Contact	Mr. Rodney Stewartz (rodney.stewartz@protonmail.com)
Detection Names	Phishing.Email.Fraud, Scam-Email.Generic, Fraudulent-Lottery-Email
Symptoms of Infection	Unauthorized purchases, account takeovers, identity theft, loss of funds
Distribution Methods	Deceptive emails, fake online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning, misspelled domains
Damage Potential	Loss of sensitive private data, financial loss, identity theft
Danger Level	High – Targets financial and personal data for fraud

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Understanding the "PROTON LOTTERY" Email Scam

This phishing email is designed to manipulate recipients into providing their full name, phone number, address, WhatsApp contact, and winning number under the pretense of claiming a nonexistent lottery prize. Below is the exact text presented in the fraudulent email:

Fake Email Message

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Subject: $397,650.00 Your Email: won

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.

This e-mail was sent to:

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Why is This Email Dangerous?

The "PROTON LOTTERY" scam email is a phishing attempt designed to collect sensitive personal data that can be used for:

1. Identity Theft – Cybercriminals use stolen personal information to open fraudulent accounts, apply for loans, or conduct other criminal activities in the victim’s name.
2. Financial Fraud – Scammers may ask for "processing fees" or "tax payments" to release the fake prize, leading to monetary loss.
3. Account Takeover – If the victim uses the same email and phone number for online accounts, scammers can attempt unauthorized access.
4. Selling Data on the Dark Web – Personally identifiable information (PII) can be sold to other criminals for further exploitation.

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How to Remove the "PROTON LOTTERY" Email Scam

Step 1: Do Not Respond

If you receive this email, do not reply, click any links, or provide any information.

Step 2: Mark the Email as Spam and Report It

Most email providers allow users to mark messages as spam. Reporting the email helps prevent others from falling victim.

• Gmail: Open the email → Click the three dots → Select "Report phishing."
• Outlook: Open the email → Click "Report" → Choose "Phishing."
• Yahoo Mail: Open the email → Click "More" → Select "Report phishing scam."

Step 3: Run a Full System Scan with SpyHunter

To ensure your system has not been compromised by malware linked to phishing scams, follow these steps:

1. Download and Install SpyHunter.
2. Open the program and click "Start Scan Now" to detect any threats.
3. If malicious files are detected, click "Fix Threats" to remove them.
4. Restart your device to complete the removal process.

Step 4: Change Passwords if You Provided Any Information

If you mistakenly provided any personal information, immediately change your passwords for all important accounts, especially:

• Email accounts
• Online banking and financial services
• Social media accounts

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.

Step 5: Report the Scam to Authorities

If you have already shared sensitive data or money, report the scam to:

• FTC (USA): reportfraud.ftc.gov
• IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center): www.ic3.gov
• Your country’s cybercrime unit or consumer protection agency

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How to Prevent Falling for Similar Scams

1. Verify Before You Trust – If an email claims you won money without entering a contest, it’s a scam.
2. Check the Sender’s Email Address – Legitimate companies do not use free email services like ProtonMail, Gmail, or Yahoo for official notifications.
3. Look for Poor Grammar & Spelling Errors – Scammers often make grammatical mistakes, as seen in the fake email.
4. Never Share Personal or Financial Information via Email – No legitimate company will ask for sensitive details through unsecured channels.
5. Use a Reliable Anti-Malware Program – Installing SpyHunter or similar security tools can prevent phishing attacks.
6. Enable Email Filtering – Adjust settings to automatically filter out suspicious emails.
7. Monitor Your Financial Accounts – Regularly check your bank statements for unauthorized transactions.