Dear Esteemed Winner,

Your email has won you $10,000,000.00 (Ten Million US Dollars) in the Coca-Cola Worldwide 2018 promotions.

Your email was selected in our random Computer draw of valid emails sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company, Microsoft, and Hotmail. Yahoo, Gmail and other email Domain.

Your email address emerged as the Jackpot winner, winning you a Total Sum of Ten Million United States dollars with Your Payment Code: SA209 Forward the required details:

Name:

Age:

Sex:

Occupation:

Country of Origin/Residence:

Telephone Number:

To our email: (co*****************@**.pl)

For your Payment Instruction.
Congratulations
John Chao
(Coca-Cola lottery Coordinator World Wide)
Telephone: +27840248848
http://www.cocacola.co.za/

 

Yes, it’s a scam

Don’t reply…just delete the email.

First of all, Coca Cola doesn’t run random contests through email. Nor do they partner with Microsoft, Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail or any other email domains.

This type of scam has been floating around the interwebs for many decades in one form or another.

And, sadly if you reply, most likely the scam artist behind the contest will request money to process your lottery claim.

Money you will never see again.

Money that won’t be applied to any winnings.

Money that you probably desperately need to pay bills that is now going to someone you think will send you millions.

No, no, no, no, no!

Delete the email. Don’t even respond.

I know it sounds so tempting. That’s a lot of money. And the things you could do with that kind of money, right?

But the reality is..there is no money.

It’s a scam.

The email is designed to make you feel all warm and fuzzy. And to give you a sense of winning.

Unfortunately the moment you hand over any information, it’s not you that has won, its the scammers.

They now have your name, information, maybe even bank and credit card account numbers and are on their way to cashing you out.

The scammers are the big winners not YOU

The Coca-Cola Email Scam (Updated 2025)

Originally published September 18, 2018. Updated November 9, 2025.

Apparently the Coca-Cola email scam is still making the rounds. I know this because someone just activated my website chatbot asking how I could help them get their money back from it.
I wish I had better news.

First, let’s be clear:
Coca-Cola is not sending out surprise prize emails.
No corporation is choosing you at random to receive money.
No sweepstakes requires you to pay a fee before you receive winnings.

If you get an email that says you have been awarded money from Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Amazon, Walmart, Facebook, or a “Global Lottery Foundation,” it is a scam. Every time. There is no variation where this becomes legitimate.

How the scam works
You receive an email claiming you won something.
The message looks official. It uses logos and big words like “recognized” and “beneficiary.”
They ask for your name, address, and phone number. Sometimes passport information.
Then they say you must pay a small fee for processing, taxes, shipping, insurance, or certification.
Once you pay, they vanish.
That is it. That is the script.

Some scammers take a few bucks.
Some drain bank accounts.
Some disappear the moment you send the first penny.

Why this works on good people
Hope is powerful.
When life feels tight, the promise of relief can feel like a miracle landing in your inbox.
Scammers know this. They target good-hearted, trusting people.
No one falls for a scam because they are stupid.
They fall for a scam because they believed something good could happen.
If you already sent money
I am going to be direct.
Once money is sent to a scammer, recovery is unlikely.

However, you should take the following steps immediately:
1. Contact your bank or card issuer.
Tell them the payment was fraudulent. Ask if a chargeback or reversal is possible.
2. If you paid using gift cards.
Call the gift card company right now.
If any balance is unused, they may be able to freeze it.
3. Report the scam.
• FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
• FBI Internet Crime: ic3.gov
• Your local Police Department (for a case number)
4. Freeze your credit.
This prevents identity theft.
• Equifax
• TransUnion
• Experian
5. Save everything.
Emails, screenshots, message headers, transaction receipts.

One more warning
If someone contacts you claiming they can recover the money you lost, that is scam number two. Recovery scams are just as common. Do not send more money thinking this will fix the first mistake.

How to avoid this in the future
Use this one rule:
If you never entered a contest, you did not win a contest.
No prize requires you to pay to receive it.
No legitimate company asks for bank details through email.
No stranger selects you for unexpected financial blessing.

Trust your gut. If something feels too perfect, question it before your wallet gets involved.

If you need guidance
If you want me to look at the email or message you received, I can help identify the red flags so you do not get hit again. I will not be able to recover your money. I can, however, help you understand what happened and how to protect yourself moving forward.

Use my contact page to send a screenshot.
Leave out any account numbers or sensitive personal information.

Stay aware.
Stay cautious.
Protect yourself.

I would also recommend you read my book “Rob Versus The Scammers” available to purchase through Amazon.

Click the picture to order today.