Diversity Visa Fraud: Beware of Visa Lottery Scams

Scammers may claim to be affiliated with the U.S. Department of State’s annual Diversity Visa Lottery. sending letters and emails posing as U.S. government agencies. Some of these sites are engaging in diversity visa scams, hoping to extract payment by taking advantage of immigrants.

The U.S. government advises all applicants to be familiar with information related to diversity visas. They are encouraged to review the procedures and rules for the DV program to understand what to expect and from whom they should expect communications. This article will help you understand visa lottery scams and how to avoid them.

Visa diversity applicants must meet strict submission requirements to qualify. Experienced immigration attorneys can help you avoid scams and mistakes on your application.

Is the Diversity Visa Program a Scam?

No. The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is a legitimate government initiative managed by the U.S. Department of State. It gives foreign nationals from eligible countries with low immigration rates to the United States the chance to obtain a green card or an immigrant visa.

Every year, 50,000 diversity visas are available. These numbers are randomly selected from all visa applicants. This is why the program is also known as the DV lottery.

Warning Signs of Visa Lottery Scam

Scammers often take advantage of the immigrant’s lack of legal knowledge. If you or your family are seeking an immigrant visa through the DV program, it is crucial to stay informed. Scammers are clever and use convincing tactics to trick unsuspecting immigrants. The following are some of the fraud warnings that you can look out for:

• Promises of quicker visa processing or guaranteed entry
• Website or emails asking for money to complete the application process
• Requests for payment through unofficial methods, such as cryptocurrency, Western Union or other wire transfers
• Emails that do not end with .gov pretending to be a U.S. government website

In recent years, there have been cases of websites pretending to be official U.S. government sites. Internet websites ending in .gov are official government websites. To see over 200 U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate websites, visit www.usembassy.gov.

The following are the U.S. government websites that contain application forms, official immigration and visa information:

Where Do I Find Official Information About the DV Program?

The only authorized way to apply to the DV program is through the U.S. Department of State (DOS) website. The application is only available within a specified registration period.

Entrants in the DV lottery program may check their status online using the DV Entrant Status Check. Here, you can check whether your application was selected or not. When checking your entrant status, you should have the following information:

• Entrant confirmation number
• Last name or Family name
• Year of Birth

After providing this information, you can check your status online.

Although visa lottery applicants may receive an email from the U.S. government as a reminder to check their entrant status, it is essential to know that they will NEVER send a letter or email confirming that they were a successful DV entrant.

The DOS Kentucky Consular Center does NOT email or mail notifications to DV lottery winners. No other private companies or organizations are authorized to notify DV program applicants of their winning entries. You can only learn about your status through the DV Entrant Status website.

Anti-Fraud Tips for Visa Applicants

The easiest way to avoid being scammed is to read and follow the instructions on the official website of the Diversity Visa program. On the DOS government website, you will find detailed information when applying for the green card lottery. The following are other tips that you can use when applying for the DV program:

• Be honest: Do not enter fake information or submit fake documents. Doing so could disqualify you from entering the program and keep you from going to the United States.
• Self Application: As much as possible, fill out the application forms yourself. If you need help filling out the forms, ensure the person helping you enters the correct information.
• Avoid deceptive visa consultants: Beware of consultants offering to increase your chances of securing a permanent resident visa by suggesting you fill in false information in your application. Note that providing false information could lead to disqualification. Also, avoid consultants who charge money, claiming to improve your chances of acquiring a visa.
• Use your email address: When entering your application, use your email address and ensure to keep the entry confirmation number. You will need your confirmation number to check the status of your visa application. If you do not have an email account, you can set it up from a smartphone or computer for free.
• Submit a single entry: Only submit one entry per eligible person. If you enter multiple entries at once, your application may get disqualified.
• Take your most recent photo: Ensure your photo is from the last six months. Pictures older than six months may be disqualified.
• Immediate family information: Once the DOS selects you to apply for a DV immigrant visa, you can only add your legal spouse and children to your application. Adding other family members or individuals to your application may also result in disqualification. This might also jeopardize your chance of ever going to the United States.
• Inform the Consular Officer: Immediately inform the consular officer at your interview if the visa consultant pressured you to add other persons, not your legal family members.

How Can I Report Scammers or Immigration Scams?

To file a complaint about an immigration scam, visit the Fraud Warning page of the DOS site. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosts this website, established through collaboration with consumer protection agencies from 17 nations.

You may also visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). It aims to make the reporting of cybercrime matters convenient and reliable. If you have additional questions or believe you were the victim of diversity visa fraud, consider speaking with an immigration attorney.

Seek Legal Advice From an Immigration Law Attorney

Navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration laws and the Diversity Visa Program may feel daunting and overwhelming. The threat of visa scams increases the need for informed decisions and reliable guidance. If you are looking to apply for a diversity visa or have encountered a potential immigration scam, consulting an immigration attorney helps protect your rights. They can provide guidance and clarity to ensure your visa application is legal and correctly filed.

FindLaw’s directory of immigration attorneys can get you started. Enter your city or ZIP code for a list of qualified legal professionals in your area. You can narrow your search by reviews, languages spoken, and more.