U. S. DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY PROGRAM

We wish to alert the public of recent scams and fraudulent claims regarding the U.S. Diversity Visa lottery program. 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. These messages are false.

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:

• Starting on May 1, 2011 through 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.

• Entry Status Check is the ONLY means by which lottery winners/selectees will be notified of their selection for DV-2012.

• Entry Status Check 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 "Selection of Applicants" section of the DV Instructions online provides information about the DV time frame and process.

Additional information about the DV program can be found at the US Department of State's website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types.