State officials are warning the public about an e-mail scam claiming to award prizes from a nonexistent "South Dakota Web Lottery."

According to a news release, e-mail recipients are told they have been chosen for a $500,000 cash drawing. They are asked to contact a South Dakota Lottery agent listed, however, the name and contact information are not connected with the state's operation.

In fact, said Lottery executive director Norman Lingle, the state's weekly drawing works completely opposite of the scam. He said the state does not secretly enter someone into a drawing or promotion, never requires a winner to pay money to claim a prize and does not solicit personal information from winners by e-mail.

"Most of all, you need to buy a ticket for a chance to win a real lottery prize, and you can only do that at licensed retailers in South Dakota," Lingle said in a news release.

The South Dakota Lottery offers tips to guard against scams on its Web site, www.sdlottery.org/scams.asp.