US Embassy warns of Visa Lottery scam

The United States Embassy in Ghana, has warned Ghanaians of scams regarding its diversity Visa Lottery and asked applicants of its programme to be wary of such fraudsters.

In a media alert issued today by its public affairs section, the Embassy said “We wish to alert the public of recent scams and fraudulent claims regarding the U.S. Diversity Visa lottery programme.”

The embassy explained that “In these scams, individuals or companies are sending congratulatory messages via email that ask the recipient to pay various fees through the Western Union Money Transfer for a permanent U.S. resident permit or green card,” stressing that those messages are false.

According to the US Embassy in Accra, the best way to avoid falling victim to scams related to the Diversity Visa Lottery is to understand how the results of the lottery are released.

The statement divulged that starting on May 1, 2011 through to June 30, 2012, all entrants can check the status of their entry through the Entry Status Check on the E-DV website www.dvlottery.state.gov stressing that Entry Status Check is the only means by which lottery winners/selectees will be notified of their selection for DV-2012.

Entry Status Check, the embassy stated, provides successful selectees with instructions on how to proceed with the visa application, and notifies candidates of immigrant visa interview appointments.

“Selectees are no longer notified of their selection by land mail, and are not notified via email,” the statement emphasised.

The “Selection of Applicants” section of the DV Instructions online provides information about the DV time frame and process.

By Edmund Smith-Asante