E-mail Scam: Avoid Green Card Lottery Fraud
Have you or someone you know recently received an e-mail claiming you’ve won the Green Card lottery and asking you to send or wire money?
Don’t fall for it – the sender is trying to steal your money!
Fraudsters will frequently e-mail potential victims posing as State Department or other government officials with requests to wire or transfer money online as part of a “processing fee.” You should never transfer money to anyone who e-mails you claiming that you have won the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery or been selected for a Green Card.
These e-mails are designed to steal money from unsuspecting victims. The senders often use phony e-mail addresses and logos designed to make them look more like official government correspondence. One easy way to tell they are a fraud is that the e-mail address does not end with a “.gov”.
According to the Department of State website:
Entrants who completed online DV 2011 entries between October 2, 2009 and November 30, 2009 and who were selected in the random drawing are notified by the Department of State's Kentucky Consular Center by letter. Entrants can also check the status of their entries by returning to the DV website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov from July 1, 2010 until June 30, 2011. Entrants will need to use the information from their DV 2011 confirmation page they saved at the time of DV entry.
Entrants who completed online DV 2012 entries will not receive notification letters from the Kentucky Consular Center. Instead, they must check the status of their entries by returning to the DV website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov on or after May 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.
The Kentucky Consular Center will not e-mail notifications to DV entrants informing them of their winning entry. No other organization or private company is authorized by the Department of State to notify Diversity Visa lottery applicants of their winning entry, or the next steps in the process of applying for their visa.
For more information about the Diversity Visa Program, including important DV Instructions, see http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ and review the Department of State’s Travel.State.Gov DV Instructions webpage.
For more information on this type of fraud and how to avoid and report it, please see the Department of State’s fraud warning and the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer alert on the matter.
posted by USCIS Blog Team @ 5:04 PM
40 Comments
40 Comments:
From my inbox.
They want 99Euro per person.
Applicants must be aged between 18-45 Yrs old.
Is it true or lies...
***********************************************
Now is the time to immigrate to Australia!
Immigration to Australia is now easier than ever through the skilled-migration program. However, if you still have doubts, here are three more reasons why you should take your family and immigrate to Australia:
Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Australia’s got an advanced education system for all ages.
Australia is one of the best countries to live in, in terms of quality of life, protection of civil rights and many more aspects.
To learn more about Australia, please visit our website
All those great advantages are now within your reach, since every year the Australian government is allowing over 100,000 people from all over the world to enter its borders.
So do it now!
Let us, the AUSFIS Organization, take care of your application!
The program is based on points, so the sooner you apply the better!
Sincerely,
Marian Turner
AUSFIS Organization
Dear Sir / Madam,
I received such a notice from USAFIS with this email address. = usaif.or.g@post.com. Is this also a fraudulent notice? They did not ask me for any money transfer, but they said the state department will officially notify me. Please kindly verfy same for me.
I Remain.
Thanks = Ashun Nana James
Hello, thanks so much for finally telling applicants to be careful with other internet greencard lottery providers.
I did apply 5 years in a row at such a fraud company and habe lost a lot of money.
And I am still disconected with my family over there.
Can you imagine how hard that is?
now I am trying for the secound year through the gov. website and I am praying and hoping that there is still justice in this world and that Heavenly Father knows of the difficult situation to receive the GreenCard this year. Since any other way is hard as well - do to what my lawyer says and trying to help me find my way back home - for me it is home and it is deep inside my heart to once become an US citizen.
So be careful where and what you do.
the .gov is the right adress.
Good luck to everyone!
AND PLEASE- to all those who are not really wanting to move or live or work in the US - please do not just apply for fun. The once who are trying hard need a fair chance.
THANK YOU
Solveig from Dresden, Germany (my home is Utah/one day)
they doint have pless to live in somali becouse of the terrorist broplem alshabab kill the beaple and also there is not food and ajucation humaniterian that is wy i need my family get a petter live world wide thank you so much
There is a similar fraudulent letter with a UK address for U.S. Lottery/Diversity Visas. The letter had a name but no telephone number and usually ask for $800! The fraudster also claimed he either represents the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or the U.S. Embassy in the U.K. He then asked that the so-called winners/the e-mail receivers to wire $800 fee through Western Union. Further, the fraudster guaranteed that the so-called winners would be given green card regardless of how they perform at the interview! Be damn careful folks, do not send any money. The U.S. government Embassy in London is one of the largest American embassies in the world and there is no chance in the world it would have appointed an individual without a phone to represent American government!! Last but not the least, the e-mail address did not end with gov but a com. So, stay away from this London fraudster!!!
Many Thanks for a timely information.I have been getting frequently such fraudulent messages Div visa for US/Australia.However my people in the US have warned me of this scam as well as Lottery winning.Let it be late than never.
Thanks for your email regarding of Green Card, so applied since 3 years ago but, they were replied send money send money so many times how can truest to them, in this times people unfortunately sending privately frauds messages, I don't know, who are true and which ways should be follows???:
Dear Sir / Madam,
I received such a notice from USAFIS with this email address. = usaif.or.g@post.com. Is this also a fraudulent notice? They ask to send them money $ 850 transfer, but they said the state department will officially notify me.
Thanks = Gracia GOMATHE from Central Africa( Congo Brazzaville). Gracia Gomathe from Congo Brazzaville( Central Africa)
Thanks again.
I received such a notice from USAFIS.org, a few weeks ago. They said I had won the Green Card Lottery and that I should send via Western Union, to the UK Embassy, $880 in cash,at a Western Union office. I found this to be strange, so I phoned the US Consulate in Montreal and they had a phone message and I couldn't get through, so I decided to phone the Department of State directly, in Washington and they gave me the phone number in another state. I phoned them and explained what was going on and they said it was a fraud. I told them immediately, that I don't want my name associated with fraudulent people, because I am very honest and a law-abiding Canadian citizen. So the US Govt worker told me he will keep that comment and thanked me for my phone call.
(Green Card,Red Card etc are available only in hockey and football matches). All the internet users are requested to beware of fraud announcements on e mails and groups that they had won the Green Card Lottery.
There are lots of mails for internet users to approach the certain dept. or to follow he instructions in mail to get price/visa etc. We understand all frauds.I recommend that users must mark thesemails into junk mails and then delet these mails. Furthermore these sort of mails can also bring VIRUS to ur PCs. Regarding " Visa", consult only Embassy.
I must be an easy pick. This is my 3rd "offer/winning" of a visa. This last one through uk for winning a diversity visa was the "best". I must be the most unlucky person around so I know I could never win anything!!
I have received an email that looks exactly from the Department of State. The guy asked me to send money to the following address
Name : Craig Shannon
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
His fraud email is :
visa.gov.dv.state@post.com
I don't know from where did he get my sister's name and phone number. It is a scam.I wish I can report it to authorities.
Please beware of this crook.
Here is another. The name given
Name : Hiromi Matsuoka
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom.
As with all the other posts I have also applied through the US government. His address is
U.S. Department of State <usagov.state.dv@post.com
Please ignore any correspondence from this address.
Thanks a lot, you guys for your time and efforts to help others in avoiding scams and hard earned money.
This is the note I received, with the logo of the US
Deparment of State. I registered in 2009, via USAFIS:
The fees must be paid using Western Union money transfer and will be processed by the U.S. embassy in the United Kingdom.
Western Union is a leading provider of International person-to-person money transfer. With more than 150 years experience and 245,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories, Western Union is recognized for sending money quickly, reliably, and safety.
You can send the payment in U.S. dollars or equivalent of your local currency.
Click on the following link to find the nearest Western Union agency and send the fees payment :
Find Western Union Agency
If you are unable to find a Western Union agency near your location, you may ask a relative or friend to pay the fee on your behalf.
After you find a Western Union agency you need to go with cash money, an identity card(e.g passport or national identity card) and send the payment to the U.S. embassy agent address in United Kingdom:
Name : Richard Winroe
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
The payment must be sent to the above U.S. embassy agent address in United Kingdom because the U.S. Government decided this based on the diplomatic relations with your country.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.Also received a similar notice from
Name : Peter Moore
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
and at once it smelt sth fishy about it. Cheers
This is another SCAM ADDRESS to BE CAREFUL with:
Name : Gerard Millet
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
"U.S. Department of State"
"U.S. Department of State"
I hope the authorities, investigate and catch these bastards...
This is another SCAM ADDRESS to BE CAREFUL with:
Name : Gerard Millet
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
"U.S. Department of State"
"U.S. Department of State"
They ask you to send them US$.880.- via Western Union, be careful people!!!
I hope the authorities investigate and catch these bastards...
same adress: 24 Grosvenor Square London, W1A 2LQ United Kingdom
name: Murdoch MacPhee
it's so funny if u check it on google earth it't the hotel Marriott hahaha theese guys live there for free from ur money....i don't know how they get our names and phones but they are FAKE!!!! and naive people make the survive from ur money!!!
This is NOT how the DV lottery works
1 – If the email is not from @state.gov you are NOT dealing with the US Department of State
2 – If you did not enter the lottery on this site http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ in October 2010 you did NOT enter the lottery. That is the ONLY official site. This sounds like you entered your details on one of the thousands of fake sites
3 – Winners are not notified until 1 May 2011
4 – Winners are NEVER notified by email. If you are successful, you receive a package in th MAIL to the home address you entered on your application at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/
5 – You NEVER send money to anyone and the US government DOES NOT accept Western Union or Moneygram. You pay when you go to the embassy for your interview
6 – Why would you ever send money to anyone in the UK if you won the US lottery?????
Be carefull guys!!! good luck this year!!!
I recieved a phony email too that i must send $880 throug western union with the same address in above emails.please be aware of scamers .They cheat on peaple and laugh.
david harper
24 grosvenol square
london W1A 2LQ
Hier is another:David Harper
24 Grosvenor Square
London,W1A 2LQ
thanks for ur information dude
they sent that mail to me and ask me to send 880$ for them
I received this mail on march 10. 2011. Here is the text, btw it was elaborated very professionally and seemed trustworthy. they even put my name and phone number, place of birth and so in there!! this is
Is the Diversity Visa FREE ?
No. There is a big confusion. Only the participation in the Diversity Visa Lottery was free but the winners must pay the visa processing fees.
After you find a Western Union agency you need to go with cash money, an identity card(e.g passport or national identity card) and send the payment to the U.S. embassy agent address in United Kingdom:
Name : Jovan Todorovic
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
The payment must be sent to the above U.S. embassy agent address in United Kingdom because the U.S. Government decided this based on the diplomatic relations with your country.
The fee is used to process your visa related documents and verify your identity.
Fees:
Type of Residence Card Status Amount (per person)
United States Permanent Resident Card Granted! - Waiting for payment of processing fee $880
Processing fees Included
Total $880
I received a similar e-mail (Wed, March 9, 2011)
the same address, but another name:
Name : Oscar Allende
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
Wow, there is so much bad intent on the web... its scary. I got this email couple days ago and it actually really sounded like a legitimate offer.
Thank you for the warning!
I have received this kind of email and just totally ignore it. I just hope other people are not blinded with these emails.
Go to the US State Department website for factual information about both the Diversity Visa Lottery Program and the scams that seek to separate fools from their money:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1322.html
Same thing in France. We often see on websites a fraudulent offer with a UK address for U.S. Lottery/Diversity Visas.
This a message from USAFIS
Dear, Romero
We are happy to inform you that your American Green Card lottery program application has been successfully completed with all the necessary photos and details, and will now go through the process of data verification by our experts.
Please note that due to the NEW requirements of the US Department of State, if you have any children under the age of 21, who were born in the USA, are US citizens or are Lawful Permanent Residents, they MUST be included in your application.
It is urgent that you contact us immediately regarding this matter,if it relates to your family. This must be done immediately before the deadline in October
In order to avoid future mistakes, your application form is now locked
so that changes or updates cannot be made in it.
For any changes needed in the future, please contact our helpdesk as soon as possibleor phone us at:
USA: +1-866-737-7193
AUSTRIA: +00-800-737-71930
UNITED KINGDOM: +11-800-737-71930
or through our "Customer Service" link in our website at http://www.usafis.org.
We wish you good Luck on your Green Card application, and thank you for choosing the USAFIS Organization to handle your American Green Card lottery application.
Sincerely,
Customer Service Department
USAFIS Organization
Please , I would like to know of it is not a fraud because I already sent them $ 560
I've received a similar e-mail today
Name : Jovan Todorovic
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
Is there any database on the Internet for this douche-bags where we can report them?
This is what i got (name, country and mail erased).
And I did not even apply for the lottery.
My concern: they have my firstname, lastname, country of birth and email correct. --> How?
----------------------
U.S. Department of State sent this message to Firstname Lastname (email-address)
Your registered name is included to show this message originated from U.S. Department of State. Congratulations, you've won !
Dear Firstname Lastname ,
Congratulations ! You are among those randomly selected and registered for further consideration in the diversity immigrant program. Selection guarantees that
you will receive a United States Permanent Resident Card(also known as Green Card or Diversity Visa) only if you follow the instructions for further processing.
Acceptance Date: Sunday 17th of April 2011 10:14:33 AM
Winner Name: Firstname Lastname
Country of Birth: Country
Is the Diversity Visa FREE ?
No. There is a big confusion. Only the participation in the Diversity Visa Lottery was free but the winners must pay the visa processing fees.
The fee is used to process your visa related documents and verify your identity.
Fees:
The same e-mail is still cicling.
Can anyone catch these bustards in London? If I had some money to fly there I would !!!!!
here it is:
Name : Steve Kennedy
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
Hello guys! I just can't stop crying. I received the same e-mail on two dates - 17 and 18 april 2011.
The text is the same like in yours. The address that I must send money is:
Name : Kenneth James Moore
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
Here is the name of the site for contact with U.S Department of state:
usatravel.state.gov@london.com
They also write me this:
Within 72 hours, you will receive a confirmation via email with your Case Number/Confirmation Number and exact date and time(approx. 2 days) of the final interview. Upon successful interview you will receive your documents and travel information to move in the United States. Under no circumstances your visa status won't be affected by the interview.
For few days I was the happiest person in the world.
And now everything is gone.
Thank you very much guys for your help.
It's alawys better knowing the true no matter what is it!
Please caych this b......s and give them everything that they deserve.
received one recently for a friend who visits frequently from Canada. How they have his name and place of birth is beyond me. moreover, how did my home email become associated. the contact person at the London embassy is Michael Pedvin with the embassy address in London.
The email for contact is usatravel.state.gov@london.com
money was to be transferred to Western Union for $880.00 US.
I got the same from a guy in London. $800 with the same same address on some square in London. Guy has my phone number too. I don't know how he got that with my nationality. I want to report this to the authorities ASAP. Innocent people who are willing to spend their entire savings for a green card can fall victim to this fraudster.
These e-mails are designed to steal money from unsuspecting victims. The senders often use phony e-mail addresses and logos designed to make them look more like official government correspondence.
Hi, i want to know if there is a site for checking out legit US soldiers abroad, ie:Kuwait
I got an email also today, to send $819 through Western Union to
Name : Ryan Mavin
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 1AE
United Kingdom
I was so happy for 3 hours, over the moon thinking that I have won. I nearly, almost send $2700 for me and my 2 children, until I realised that you normally pay to USCIS and not an individual. DO NOT BE SCAMMED.
Hello
here is the latest scam:
Processing fees
Type of Residence Card Status Amount (per person)
United States Permanent Resident Card Granted! - Waiting for payment of processing fee $819
Processing fees Included
Total $819
Although the Diversity Visa participation was free, the law and regulations require to every diversity visa winner to pay a visa processing fee of $819 . The Diversity Visa(Green Card) is guaranteed upon receiving the payment.
The per person fee for each Diversity Visa is $819, payable in U.S. dollars or equivalent of your local currency. This $819 fee is the only fee a winner needs to pay throughout the entire relocation process.
Accompanying family members(wife/husband, fiancee, brothers, sisters, childrens, cousins) may be included in the program and their visas will be provided at the same time with yours so you can travel/move together in the same time. However the fees must be paid per person and each member(e.g wife, brother, parents, childrens, cousin) must pay $819. There is no discount for childrens.
PURPOSE: The U.S. Department of State uses the fee payment primarily to process your visa related documents and verify your identity.
Visa Payment processing instructions
The fees must be paid using Western Union money transfer and will be processed by the U.S. embassy in the United Kingdom.
Western Union is a leading provider of International person-to-person money transfer. With more than 150 years experience and 245,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories, Western Union is recognized for sending money quickly, reliably, and safety.
You can send the payment in U.S. dollars or equivalent of your local currency.
Click on the following link to find the nearest Western Union agency and send the fees payment :
Find Western Union Agency
If you are unable to find a Western Union agency near your location, you may ask a relative or friend to pay the fee on your behalf.
After you find a Western Union agency you need to go with cash money, an identity card(e.g passport or national identity card) and send the payment to the U.S. embassy agent address in United Kingdom:
Name : Martin Duncan
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 1AE
United Kingdom
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home