The Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Mr. Mohammed Abdul-Salam, has cautioned the public to be wary of lotto fraudsters, particularly on social media.

He warned against falling prey to scammers who claim to possess leaked winning numbers in exchange for money—a deceitful practice that has victimized many.

Mr. Abdul-Salam made these remarks in Kwahu, Nkwatia, where the NLA held its Easter Community Draw on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

“A lot of the time, these scammers use the images of Management and Staff on social media, assuring unsuspecting people that they can make them rich in connivance with officials of the NLA. They have defrauded several people through this narrative. If anybody tells you they can make you rich, consider it like choosing to stake your car number. Nobody can manipulate the numbers or find a way to make you win. The National Lottery Authority’s games are meant for development and are purely a game of chance,” Mr. Abdul-Salam said.

The NLA organises Community Draws periodically to bring the lottery draw process closer to the public and foster community engagement.

Mr. Abdul-Salam emphasized the transparency of Community Draws.

“These events, where the NLA’s draw machines are relocated from the Authority’s Brennan Hall to a community, serve as a platform for the public to witness the draw process firsthand, dispelling any misconceptions about the NLA’s draws being manipulated,” he stated.

He also urged patrons to practice responsible gaming by avoiding overindulgence to prevent addiction and ensuring that minors are not involved in lottery games.

The Director-General extended his gratitude to the Managing Director of Prudential Bank, Mr. Bernard Appiah Gyebi; the Kwahumanhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III; the Nkwatiahene and Kwahu Sananahene, Nana Boamah Ayiripe III; the Aburihene, Otoobour Djan Kwasi II; the Dodowahene, Okukrubuor Nene Teye Kwasi Agyeman; and the Abotakyihene, Nana Kwame Sakyi Ababio III, along with their wing chiefs, for gracing the occasion and witnessing the National Weekly Lotto Draw.

The NLA’s National Weekly Lotto Draw was presented by renowned personalities including Akwasi Boadi Akrobeto, Robert Nana Kodua, Wofa K, and NLA’s in-house presenter, Nancy Awuradwoa Darko, who entertained and interacted with the enthusiastic crowd gathered at the venue.

The winning numbers for the National Weekly Lotto Draw were 44, 27, 48, 85, and 90. Patrons who answered questions and others who won received souvenirs.

As part of the tradition and in alignment with the Arts and Culture Pillar of the NLA’s Good Causes Foundation, a team led by the Deputy Director-General, Mr. Eric Yeboah Wadie, presented items to the Kwahumanhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, and the Nkwatiahene, Nana Boamah Ayiripe III, in support of the Easter festivities. The donations included packs of water, cartons of drinks, and cash.

The chiefs thanked Mr. Wadie and the Management of the NLA for celebrating Easter with the people of Kwahu and for bringing the Draw to their community. They also congratulated Mr. Wadie, a native of Kwahu, on his appointment as Deputy Director-General.

They wished him success in his new role and encouraged him to conduct himself with integrity to bring honour to his community.

The Arts and Culture Pillar of the NLA Good Causes Foundation supports projects that safeguard and promote Ghanaian cultural heritage and educational programs.