Locate official rules
Find sponsor, promoter, entry period, eligibility, prize, selection method and governing terms on a verified domain.
This page is a decision worksheet built around a specific search task. It separates observable records, first-party wording and unresolved claims so the conclusion can be checked again after a material change.
Verify the announcement
Trace the promotion from a known first-party channel rather than a reply account or direct message.
Check winner contact
Compare the sending account and domain with the published notification method in the rules.
Reject advance fees
Do not pay shipping, tax, activation, deposit or verification money to receive an unverified prize.
Minimise identity exposure
Do not send passport, bank login, seed phrase or authentication code to prove eligibility.
A prize claim must survive without urgency
Legitimate rules and promoter identity should remain verifiable when the countdown, message pressure and celebratory graphics are removed.
Questions this page resolves
Do winners ever pay tax?
Tax circumstances vary, but an unexpected private payment request is not proof of a legitimate prize.
What if the account has a verified badge?
Verify the exact handle, history and linked first-party announcement; badges alone can be misunderstood.
Can a casino deposit be an entry requirement?
Only published, lawful rules could establish that; treat surprise deposit demands as a stop signal.