USA Green Card Lottery Scam

This is a really horrible scam. People that sign up for the USA green card lottery are sent emails saying they have won a green card. They just have to send in $800 for processing. It is not true. It is a scam. It is a lie. I hope innocent people that don’t know much English understand this. It’s not true.

The US Department of State has a scam warning here:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1749.html

This email is being sent to people that actually entered the real US green card lottery (Yes, there is such a thing.) The REAL United States green card lottery from the US Department of State is located here:
http://www.dvlottery.state.gov

usa-state.org is NOT a government website. It’s a trick.

A friend of mine entered the real lottery and received one of these scam emails today. They were so excited. I asked them if I could look at it closely. It actually looks pretty real at first. But several giveaways like the word “Winner!” all over the email, a guarantee of free housing and a job, education, the request for an $800 processing fee and the fact this money had to be sent Western Union to the UK. (I discovered once money is sent Western Union it cannot be refunded – so it’s used a lot for scams).

Here is the content of the phishing email:

With the Diversity Visa (also known as Green Card) you will enjoy all the advantages and benefits of a U.S. permanent resident, including health and education benefits, and employment opportunities along with guidance in your new country, orientation sessions and programs to integrate into mainstream American society. Once received you can use it at any time you want to move in the United States or just travel. The visa must be renewed after 10 years.

U.S. Government helps you with the accommodation and offers you Health Insurance (Freedom HSA Direct Individual Health insurance for 1 year), Dwelling(Apartment in any city you prefer, 1 bedroom for 3 months ), a guaranteed job(in the field that you are are currently qualified so you can start working even from the first week you arrive in the United States and get paid as U.S citizen. ) and education (for U.S. Students or Higher Education through EducationUSA. It includes transfer to a U.S college or University so you can continue your educational study. More details can be found at http://educationusa.state.gov/ .)

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 : Steven Mayer
Address: 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 1AE
United Kingdom

The payment must be sent to the above U.S. embassy agent address in United Kingdom because the U.S. Department of State decided this based on the diplomatic relations with your country.

After you send the payment follow the next steps
a) Email copy/scan of the Western Union receipt at usgov-dv@usa-state.org
b) Email at usgov-dv@usa-state.org with the following details (you can find them on the money transfer receipt):

1) Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN):
2) Exact sender’s name on file with Western Union:
3) Exact sender’s address on file with Western Union:
4) Exact receiver’s name on file with Western Union:
5) Amount sent:

Then wait for the confirmation that the payment was received.

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.

Please Note!

The payment must be sent via Western Union no later than August 4, 2011. You are strongly encouraged not to wait until the last day to pay. Heavy demand may result in system delays.
Under no circumstances can diversity visas be issued or adjustments approved after this date, nor can family members obtain diversity visas to follow-to-join the principal applicant in the U.S. after this date.
The visa processing fee(US$ 819) is mandatory for each person and the U.S. Government doesn’t offer any discount, loan or exception.
You have been selected winner of the Diversity Visa lottery so the visa is guaranteed upon receiving the payment fees on time.
A hard copy of this letter will be mailed to your postal address upon receiving the payment fees.
Please be advised that even through you are a winner of Diversity Visa your Case Number/Confirmation Number will be provided only after you send the payment confirmation of the fees. Please do not contact us to ask for the Case Number/Confirmation Number.

If it would be necessary to contact the U.S. Department of state YOU MUST ALWAYS REFER TO YOUR NAME. The email is usgov-dv@usa-state.org

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