KBC Lottery Scam India 2025
Fake Kaun Banega Crorepati prize calls and WhatsApp messages targeting millions of Indians. How the scam works, how to verify, and what to do if targeted.
How the KBC Lottery Scam Works
- Stage 1
The Initial Contact
You receive a call or WhatsApp from an unknown number (often a mobile number). The caller claims to be from "KBC", "Sony Entertainment", or "Department of Lottery". They announce you have won ₹25 lakh, ₹50 lakh, or ₹1 crore.
- Stage 2
Building Credibility
They provide a fake "winner certificate" via WhatsApp with official-looking KBC logos. They may call with colleagues playing the role of "KBC officials" or even Amitabh Bachchan's fake voice recording.
- Stage 3
The Fee Trap
To release your prize, you must pay a "government tax" (₹5,000–₹50,000), "processing fee", "customs duty", or "security deposit". Once paid, they demand more fees or disappear.
- Stage 4
Escalation (if victim complies)
Victims who pay are targeted repeatedly — new fees for "insurance", "legal clearance", or "NEFT charges". Losses can reach ₹5–10 lakh before the victim realises the scam.
Fake KBC Call vs Real KBC: The Differences
🚨 Fake KBC Scam Call
- ✗Contacts you by phone/WhatsApp without you registering
- ✗Claims you won a "phone lottery"
- ✗Requests payment before releasing prize
- ✗Uses personal mobile numbers, not official Sony channels
- ✗Creates urgency — "claim within 24 hours"
- ✗Asks for Aadhaar, PAN, bank OTP
- ✗Certificate sent via WhatsApp with basic design
✓ Real KBC (Kaun Banega Crorepati)
- ✓You register yourself via Sony LIV app
- ✓Selection based on quiz performance, not lottery
- ✓Official communication via Sony LIV app notifications
- ✓No upfront payment ever required
- ✓Prize delivered after studio participation and tax deduction
- ✓Official website: sonyliv.com
- ✓Never contacts via WhatsApp or personal mobile numbers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the KBC lottery call I received real?▾
Almost certainly not — it is a scam. KBC (Kaun Banega Crorepati) does not contact lottery winners by cold phone call. Winners are selected from registered participants through the official KBC app or Sony LIV platform. If you received an unexpected call claiming you won KBC, it is fraudulent. Do not share personal information or pay any amount.
How does the KBC lottery scam work?▾
The scam follows a predictable pattern: (1) You receive a call or WhatsApp from an unknown number claiming you have won ₹25 lakh–₹50 lakh in KBC. (2) They claim you were randomly selected from phone numbers. (3) They ask you to pay a "processing fee", "government tax", or "customs duty" of ₹5,000–₹50,000 to release the prize. (4) Once paid, they either demand more money or disappear entirely.
What are the signs that a KBC prize call is fake?▾
Key signs: (1) You never entered KBC — real winners participated through the show. (2) Request for upfront payment of any kind. (3) Instruction to keep the prize secret. (4) WhatsApp or unknown mobile number instead of official Sony channels. (5) Urgency — "you have 24 hours to claim". (6) Request for Aadhaar, PAN, bank account, or OTP.
How do I report a KBC lottery scam?▾
Report through multiple channels: (1) Save the scammer's number and report it at rakshaai.co/phone-number-checker. (2) File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. (3) Call 1930 — India's cybercrime helpline. (4) Block the number on WhatsApp and report within the app. If you have already paid money, contact your bank immediately to attempt reversal.
What is the official KBC contact and how can I verify?▾
Official KBC (Kaun Banega Crorepati) is produced by Sony Entertainment Television. Participation only via the Sony LIV app and official KBC registration. Official website: sonyliv.com. There is no KBC lottery that contacts random phone numbers — all legitimate participants register themselves. Any unsolicited contact claiming KBC prizes is definitively fraudulent.