DV Lottery Scams On Increase
AILA members have seen a marked increase in recent weeks in fake emails telling people that they have "won" the visa lottery. If you receive one of these emails, know that it is not legitimate--it is just someone trying to steal your money. If you really are selected for the visa lottery, you are notified by the State Department by regular mail, NOT by email, and money is NOT requested up front. If you receive an email notification, and/or if money is requested, ignore that communication--it is a scam.
Below is a typical scam email, but note that there are a lot of different variations on this:
Date:From: "U.S. Department Of State"
Subject: AMERICAN DV2006 VISA LOTTERY PROGRAM:FINAL LIST OF WINNERS FOR DV2006.
DV LOTTERY.STATE.GOV
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
www.dvlottery.state.gov
Dear Winner,
It is my pleasure to congratulate you on your success in the AMERICAN DV2006 VISA LOTTERY PROGRAM which was applied and processed by our agency. You were selected as one of the lucky winners on our internet screening machine,for the DV2006 USA national visa lottery program. Your visa lottery winner's identity is ID-6200DV and your serial net visa passport with us is SNVPh700IU.In this respect,you are directed to forward the following requirements:
l. Your present contact address (for correspondence)2. Your recent passport photograph .
3. REGULAR MAIL.
You can also send your photo(s) by regular mail. The photo must be between 1 ½ by 1½ and 2 by 2 inches (37-50 mm) square, with the applicant's,spouse's, or child's name printed on the back.Please mail the photos to:Immigration Services:PA/PL, Rm. 3206 U.S. Department of State 2301 C Street NW Washington, D.C. 20720.
Or preferably, you can scan them and send via email for faster processing.Clearance/acceptance fees is($989.67) Details of requirements:Your present contact address should be forwarded strictly to our receiving correspondent Mr.Bobby Danza through his e-mail address:(mrbobbydanza_statedept@yahoo.com).
We accept Western Union Money Transfer as the ONLY payment method due to some reasons from our past experiences. (Credit card is not acceptable,please).
For information on how to send across the fees,please contact the Clearance Officer Mr.Mark Leonard through his e-mail (cl_officer@yahoo.com).
Your payment confirmation shall be sent to you as soon as clarification is done on your payment.Providing the above requirements will assure you of getting your Visa Lottery Acknowledgement Card and Visa Lottery Security Code which we shall send to your email address.Important notice:Please make sure you report and forward your Visa Lottery Code and Acknowledgement Card to the USA embassy in your individual country for your Green Card and other necessary claims.According to the United States of America's Code of Conduct and Constitution Vol.176/866:Act 690SN guiding all immigration,and Green Card permitAgencies,Non-Response,14 days after you receive this message to your winner's status shall reveal "No interest" and we would in return,refer your lottery code and acknowledgement card back to the USA Government/Immigration Service Center.
We shall be anticipating your reply soon.
CONGRATULATIONS ONCE MORE.
Mrs.Magdalene Collins,Co-coordinator.
KELVIN POWELL,
Executive Director.
Note: Your response/reply should be sent ONLY to the above stated Email network.This is for security reasons.