New Green Card Lottery Fraud Emails Circulating Now

Anuj’s heart skipped a beat. The subject line read:
“Congratulations! You have been selected for the U.S. Green Card Lottery 2025!”

The email looked official. It had the Department of State’s seal, a government-ish looking email address (something like dv-lottery.state.gov@consultantmail.org), and a deadline to respond within 48 hours.

All he had to do was send a “processing fee” via Western Union.
A small price for the American Dream, right?

Except… it was a scam.
And he’s not alone.

What’s the Deal With These Green Card Lottery Scam Emails?

Every year, the U.S. runs the Diversity Visa Lottery — aka the Green Card Lottery — offering up to 55,000 permanent resident visas to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S.

Scammers know this. They love this.

They weaponize hope.

And around this time of year (right after lottery results are posted), the fraud emails start flooding inboxes — mostly targeting folks in South Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

How the Scam Works (And Why It’s So Convincing)

Here’s the typical anatomy of these scam emails:

Stage	What Happens
1. Phishing Email	Claims you’ve won the DV Lottery, often mimicking government design
2. Urgency & Fear	“Respond in 24-48 hours or your spot will be given to someone else.”
3. Payment Request	Asks for “processing fees” ($200–$500), usually via shady methods
4. Fake Follow-ups	You’re told your visa is being “processed” to keep you on the hook
5. Ghosted	They disappear. Your money’s gone. No green card. No recourse.

What Makes These Emails So Believable?

• Use of real terms: “DV-2025,” “Case Number,” “Form DS-260,” etc.
• Logos & branding: Copied directly from official U.S. State Department sites
• Spoofed email addresses: Look like .gov or close variations
• Broken English? Not always. These guys are getting better with AI tools and templates

Some even send you a fake “approval letter” in PDF form. It looks legit—signature and all.

Wait… How Does the Real DV Lottery Work?

Here’s where the scammers take advantage. The actual process is free and simple, but not always clear.

Here’s the truth:

Step	What’s Legit
Apply at	dvprogram.state.gov (only site that counts)
Application fee	$0 (seriously, it’s free)
Notification	You must check your own status online using a confirmation number
U.S. Government contact	They never email winners directly
Payment	Only paid later at a U.S. Embassy after official selection

So if you get an email saying “You have been selected” — and you never checked your status online — it’s fake. Every time.

Who’s Being Targeted?

Mostly folks from countries that are eligible for the DV Lottery. High on the hit list:

• India (especially from Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities)
• Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana
• Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan
• Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
• Haiti, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Sudan

And especially:

• Students
• Lower-income applicants
• People applying through unofficial agents or “consultants”

Some agents charge money just to “help you apply” — and keep your confirmation number. So you can’t even check the results yourself. Sketchy.

Major Red Flags to Watch Out For

Red Flag	Why It’s a Scam
“You’ve been selected for the Green Card Lottery!” via email	They never email winners
Asks for payment via Western Union, crypto, or gift cards	Government doesn’t use these methods
Threatens that you’ll lose your chance if you don’t reply fast	Classic scam pressure tactic
From email like @consultantmail.org or @usa.gov-united.com	Not real government domains
Attachments with “official documents”	Often contain viruses or fake PDFs

What To Do If You Get One

1. Don’t reply. At all. Just delete it.
2. Don’t click links or download attachments. These can contain malware or trackers.
3. Check your status the right way:
   Go to dvprogram.state.gov and enter your confirmation number.
4. Report the scam:
   • FTC Report Fraud
   • U.S. Embassy in your country
5. Warn your family and friends. Especially those who may not be as internet-savvy.

The Human Cost

It’s not just about the money.

People take out loans to pay these “processing fees.”
Some quit jobs, sell jewelry, even leave school—thinking they’re heading to America.

And then, nothing. Just a broken dream in their inbox.

Final Word: Hope Is Not a Shortcut

The Green Card Lottery is real. But winning it doesn’t happen through your email.

If someone tells you otherwise, they’re selling hope in exchange for money.
And they’ll vanish the moment you pay.

So keep your confirmation number safe. Check your results yourself. And trust no one who says they can “guarantee” you a visa.

You can’t hack the system. But scammers can hack you—if you let them.

FAQs