U.S. Embassy alert on Diversity visa lottery scam
U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
April 20, 2007

The U.S. Embassy warns about recurring fraudulent schemes involving the Diversity Visa Lottery in which applicants are randomly selected for immigration to the United States. Scammers send spam emails pretending to be from the U.S. government congratulating the recipient that they have been selected in the Visa Lottery. A typical scam message is below.

These schemes often use a spoof U.S. government website. They may have domain names similar to government agencies, official-looking emblems (eagles, flags, or other American images like the Statue of Liberty or the U.S. Capitol), the official seals or logos of — and links to — other government sites, and list Washington, D.C., mailing addresses.

U.S. Embassy spokesperson, Jeffery A. Salaiz gave some tips on recognizing and avoiding these scams.

Those selected in the Visa Lottery are notified by regular mail, not by email.

Applicants never have to pay any fee until they come in person to the Embassy for their interview. Any communication that asks for money or bank account information to be sent in advance is a scam.

Do not click on to any websites in these scam messages. The act of opening these links can make you vulnerable to viruses or other malicious codes. Information about the Diversity Visa Lottery can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov.

Any questions about a Diversity Visa Lottery notification can be referred to the embassy at DRSIV@state.gov.
Winners of the diversity visa lottery have to be interviewed. To establish their eligibility, they must provide proof of a high school education or its equivalent, or show two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience within the past five years. Those selected need also process their immigrant visa applications before departure.

The U.S. Embassy continues to invite those wishing to enter DV lottery, and ask them to submit online at www.dvlottery.state.gov. (This site is only accessible during the application period. Application period normally lasts for two months only (October - November). Paper entries or mail-in requests are not accepted.

View a sample Scam letter >>