Wisconsin Officials Warn of Million-Dollar Lottery Scam Delivered by Priority Mail

Scammers are using real lottery names and premium mail service to appear legitimate.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:27pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a Priority Mail envelope with a red wax seal, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the stark, gritty, and investigative nature of this lottery scam.A Priority Mail envelope used to deliver a fraudulent million-dollar lottery prize claim exposes the deceptive tactics of scammers targeting vulnerable consumers.Green Bay Today

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is warning residents about a lottery scam that uses Priority Mail delivery to appear legitimate. The scam involves a letter printed on letterhead that appears to be from a real lottery organization, claiming the recipient has won a million-dollar prize and asking for personal information.

Why it matters

This scam is particularly concerning as it uses the appearance of legitimacy through the use of Priority Mail and the name of a real lottery organization to trick consumers into providing sensitive personal information. Lottery scams can result in significant financial losses for victims.

The details

The letter claims the recipient has won a million-dollar prize as part of a charitable initiative and asks the recipient to provide personal information. The recipient recognized it as a scam and contacted the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. Officials warn that real lotteries don't ask winners to keep their prize a secret, and consumers can't win a lottery they didn't enter.

  • The scam was reported to the Wisconsin Division of Trade and Consumer Protection in April 2026.

The players

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

The state agency that is warning residents about the lottery scam.

Michelle Reinen

The administrator with the Wisconsin Division of Trade and Consumer Protection who provided details about the scam.

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What they’re saying

“The consumer really thought about this and thought, is this legitimate? Because why would the scammer spend $10 to send something Priority Mail and then ask for a signature? But thankfully, the consumer paused and thought about it and realized that it was really too good to be true.”

— Michelle Reinen, Administrator, Wisconsin Division of Trade and Consumer Protection

What’s next

Officials recommend that residents report any suspected scams to the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-422-7128.

The takeaway

This lottery scam highlights the importance of being vigilant about unsolicited offers, even if they appear to come from legitimate sources. Consumers should always verify the legitimacy of any prize or lottery claims independently before providing any personal information.