Diversity Visa Scam Shield & Fraud Defense
How to protect your money, identity, and visa eligibility from predatory immigration scammers and phishing operations.
The U.S. Government NEVER Sends Selection Emails
The Department of State will never contact you via email, SMS, phone, or letter to inform you that you have won the lottery. Any communication claiming you have been selected and demanding money is 100% fraudulent.
1. The #1 Golden Rule of the DV Program
The ONLY official way to find out if your entry was selected is to visit:
You must check this website yourself every May using your 16-character confirmation number.
2. Anatomy of a Fake "You Won" Scam Email
Scammers send millions of phishing emails annually mimicking State Department seals and Great Seals of the United States. Key red flags include:
Sent from Non-.gov Addresses
From: usa-state-dept@gmail.com, visa-center@usa.com, or uscis@dvlottery-gov.org
All official U.S. government communications end strictly in '.gov'. Any email from gmail, yahoo, or custom domains is fake.
Demanding Wire Transfers or Gift Cards
Instructions to send $880 via Western Union, MoneyGram, Bitcoin, or Zelle to a 'consular officer'
The State Department never accepts wire transfers. The $330 fee is paid strictly in person at the embassy cashier on interview day.
Urgent 48-Hour Ultimatum
'Your visa will be permanently cancelled if payment is not wired within 48 hours'
Fabricated urgency is designed to panic victims into wiring money without verifying official sources.
3. Phony .com, .org, and Third-Party Portals
Hundreds of commercial websites copy official U.S. logos, patriotic eagle emblems, and Statue of Liberty images to charge $50 to $250 for submitting your entry. Many of these services:
- Submit entries late or improperly, causing disqualification.
- Never actually submit your application and simply steal your credit card details.
- Charge recurring monthly subscription fees without your knowledge.
4. The "Hostage Confirmation Number" Extortion
In many regions, local internet cafes or visa brokers offer to submit entries "for free." They intentionally withhold the 16-character confirmation number from the applicant.
When the applicant is selected in May, the broker demands between $2,000 and $10,000 USD to release the confirmation number or attempts to force a fraudulent sham marriage with someone paying to immigrate as a derivative.
5. Reporting Fraud
If you receive fraudulent emails or discover predatory websites claiming to represent the U.S. Diversity Visa Program:
- Forward the scam email directly to the Department of Justice / Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- File a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
Regulatory Notice & Official Links
This guide is prepared based on Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations (22 C.F.R. § 42.33) and Foreign Affairs Manual (9 FAM 502.6). Always verify instructions on the official U.S. Department of State portal: dvprogram.state.gov .