New York Lottery Warns Players of Imposter as Mega Millions, Powerball Hit $1.3 Billion

The New York Lottery is warning residents about a telephone scam in which impostors are posing as lottery officials and targeting consumers across multiple states.

A consumer alert from the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC), which oversees the state-run lottery, says the scam involves telephone calls from a person claiming to be a high-ranking official with Mega Millions. The caller seeks to scam the target by telling them they have won an $18.6 million Mega Millions prize, along with two new Mercedes-Benz vehicles, but they must first pay taxes and processing fees before the prizes can be delivered.

Numerous consumers have filed complaints detailing how the scammer threatens them with the forfeiture of the $18.6 million windfall and luxury vehicles unless the taxes and fees are immediately paid.

“The New York State Gaming Commission reminds players: Real lotteries don’t reach out to winners.”

New York State Gaming Commission

Legitimate lotteries do not require winners to pay taxes or fees before receiving their winnings. The NYSGC also reminds the public that they cannot win a legitimate lottery prize without purchasing a ticket to play.

“The New York Lottery does not know who has won a prize until the winning ticket is presented to the Lottery for payment,” the notice added.

Lottery Fever

The New York Lottery warning comes as the jackpots for Mega Millions and Powerball climb to heights that will increase ticket sales. As jackpots balloon to seemingly insurmountable figures, and the life-changing prizes become featured in mainstream media, participation surges.

The drawing for tonight’s Powerball comes with an estimated annuitized jackpot of $567 million. The one-time cash option stands at $251.8 million. Mega Millions won’t be drawn until Friday night. The jackpot is currently at a projected $743 million, with the cash at $323.4 million. The estimated jackpot numbers are before federal and possibly state taxes.

Lottery players have been on a jackpot drought, with 34 Powerball drawings and 36 Mega Millions drawings—a combined 70 drawings across both games—going without a single ticket hitting the jackpot.

“Jackpot fever is back, and New Yorkers have two incredible opportunities to imagine the possibilities this week,” said New York State Gaming Commission Chairman Brian O’Dwyer.

Jackpots Climbing Record List

The Mega Millions and Powerball runs continue to inch closer to landing a spot in the top 10 richest jackpots in the history of the United States.

Top Ten Jackpots (Game, Annuitized Prize, Date, Where Won)

Powerball (PB) – $2.04 billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA

PB – $1.81 billion – Dec. 24, 2025 – AR

PB – $1.78 billion – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX

PB – $1.76 billion – Oct. 11, 2023 – CA

Mega Millions (MM) – $1.6 billion – FL

PB – $1.58 billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN

MM – $1.53 billion – Oct. 23, 2018 – SC

MM – $1.35 billion – Jan. 13, 2023 — ME

MM – $1.33 billion – July 29, 2022 – IL

PB – $1.32 billion – April 6, 2024 – OR