What To Do If You Have Submitted Information to Lottery Scammers
If you have supplied banking and credit card details, personal information, and/or copies of identity documents such as your driver's licence and passport to the scammers, then you could become a victim of identity theft. For details on what to do, read the information about identity theft published by the Federal Trade Commission (US), ScamWatch, (Australia) or ActionFraud (UK).
What To Do If You Have Already Given Money To Lottery Scammers
Unfortunately, there is probably very little you can do to recover any money you have already sent. The first step is to cease all communication with the scammers and do not, under any circumstances, send them any more money or information. It is not uncommon for advance fee scam victims to fall into an escalation of commitment trap and continue to send money to the scammers even after they have been told they are being conned. This is because victims can become desperate and are unwilling to let go of the vain hope that the scheme that they are involved in is legitimate after all and that they will eventually get their promised windfall.
If you have sent money to scammers, you should inform your local law enforcement agency as soon as possible. Also, take steps to protect your identity by accessing information about identity theft published by the Federal Trade Commission (US), ScamWatch, (Australia) or ActionFraud (UK).