Diversity Visa Scam

[Gary & Olga 0]

Hello,

My fiancé just received the following scam e-mail and I was wondering if anyone else has received it. I work in IT security and see phishing e-mail all the time. They stick out like a sore thumb to me. But, this one is written better than most. Still, I can find a lot of things wrong with the letter.

Anyone else receive it?

Gary

U.S. Department of State sent this message to olga (lastname snipped) (address snipped@mail.ru)

Your registered name is included to show this message originated from U.S. Department of State. Congratulations, you've won !

Dear olga (lastname snipped) ,

Congratulations ! You are among those randomly selected and registered for further consideration in the diversity immigrant program. Selection guarantees that

you will receive a United States Permanent Resident Card(also known as Green Card or Diversity Visa) only if you follow the instructions for further processing.

Acceptance Date: Saturday 12th of February 2011 08:27:20 PM

Winner Name: olga (lastname snipped)

Country of Birth: Belarus

Phone Number: (snipped but was correct)

Is the Diversity Visa FREE ?

No. There is a big confusion. Only the participation in the Diversity Visa Lottery was free but the winners must pay the visa processing fees.

The fee is used to process your visa related documents and verify your identity.

Fees:

Type of Residence Card StatusAmount (per person)

United States Permanent Resident CardGranted! - Waiting for payment of processing fee $880

Processing feesIncluded

Total$880

INSTRUCTIONS

Please read and follow all the instructions very carefully. With the Diversity Visa (also known as Green Card) you will enjoy all the advantages and benefits of a US 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.

Although you will have all the rights that a U.S. citizen has in the United States, without a relative or friend in the United States you may find the relocation difficult and expensive due the lack of experience in the American society. Therefore the U.S. Government helps you with the accommodation and offers you along with each visa 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 Univeristy so you can continue your educational study. More details can be found at http://educationusa.state.gov/ .)

We remind you that only the visa processing fee ($880) is mandatory and the visa is guaranteed upon receiving the payment.

Accompanying family members(wife/husband, fiancee, brothers, sisters, children, 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, children, cousin) must pay $880. There is no discount for children.

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 : Richard Aspden

Address: 24 Grosvenor Square

London, W1A 2LQ

United Kingdom

The payment must be sent to the above U.S. embassy agent address in United Kingdom because the U.S. Government 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 gov.us.state@usa.com

b) Email at gov.us.state@usa.com 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.

Important Notice!

The payment must be sent via Western Union no later than February 27, 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$ 880) 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 address is gov.us.state@usa.com

[Barbara J 115]

Hello,

My fiancé just received the following scam e-mail and I was wondering if anyone else has received it. I work in IT security and see phishing e-mail all the time. They stick out like a sore thumb to me. But, this one is written better than most. Still, I can find a lot of things wrong with the letter.

Anyone else receive it?

Gary

U.S. Department of State sent this message to olga (lastname snipped) (address snipped@mail.ru)

Your registered name is included to show this message originated from U.S. Department of State. Congratulations, you've won !

Dear olga (lastname snipped) ,

Congratulations ! You are among those randomly selected and registered for further consideration in the diversity immigrant program. Selection guarantees that

you will receive a United States Permanent Resident Card(also known as Green Card or Diversity Visa) only if you follow the instructions for further processing.

Acceptance Date: Saturday 12th of February 2011 08:27:20 PM

Winner Name: olga (lastname snipped)

Country of Birth: Belarus

Phone Number: (snipped but was correct)

Is the Diversity Visa FREE ?

No. There is a big confusion. Only the participation in the Diversity Visa Lottery was free but the winners must pay the visa processing fees.

The fee is used to process your visa related documents and verify your identity.

Fees:

Type of Residence Card StatusAmount (per person)

United States Permanent Resident CardGranted! - Waiting for payment of processing fee $880

Processing feesIncluded

Total$880

INSTRUCTIONS

Please read and follow all the instructions very carefully. With the Diversity Visa (also known as Green Card) you will enjoy all the advantages and benefits of a US 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.

Although you will have all the rights that a U.S. citizen has in the United States, without a relative or friend in the United States you may find the relocation difficult and expensive due the lack of experience in the American society. Therefore the U.S. Government helps you with the accommodation and offers you along with each visa 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 Univeristy so you can continue your educational study. More details can be found at http://educationusa.state.gov/ .)

We remind you that only the visa processing fee ($880) is mandatory and the visa is guaranteed upon receiving the payment.

Accompanying family members(wife/husband, fiancee, brothers, sisters, children, 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, children, cousin) must pay $880. There is no discount for children.

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 : Richard Aspden

Address: 24 Grosvenor Square

London, W1A 2LQ

United Kingdom

The payment must be sent to the above U.S. embassy agent address in United Kingdom because the U.S. Government 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 gov.us.state@usa.com

b) Email at gov.us.state@usa.com 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.

Important Notice!

The payment must be sent via Western Union no later than February 27, 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$ 880) 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 address is gov.us.state@usa.com

####### ####### and more ####### it is so false it's not funny

[coraliesolms 47]

Sounds like a scam if Ive ever seen one!

[Mal and Meg 12]

haha i got sent that to its rediculous

[Tero 105]

Hello,

My fiancé just received the following scam e-mail and I was wondering if anyone else has received it. I work in IT security and see phishing e-mail all the time. They stick out like a sore thumb to me. But, this one is written better than most. Still, I can find a lot of things wrong with the letter.

Anyone else receive it?

Gary

U.S. Department of State sent this message to olga (lastname snipped) (address snipped@mail.ru)

Your registered name is included to show this message originated from U.S. Department of State. Congratulations, you've won !

Dear olga (lastname snipped) ,

Congratulations ! You are among those randomly selected and registered for further consideration in the diversity immigrant program. Selection guarantees that

you will receive a United States Permanent Resident Card(also known as Green Card or Diversity Visa) only if you follow the instructions for further processing.

Acceptance Date: Saturday 12th of February 2011 08:27:20 PM

Winner Name: olga (lastname snipped)

Country of Birth: Belarus

Phone Number: (snipped but was correct)

Is the Diversity Visa FREE ?

No. There is a big confusion. Only the participation in the Diversity Visa Lottery was free but the winners must pay the visa processing fees.

The fee is used to process your visa related documents and verify your identity.

Fees:

Type of Residence Card StatusAmount (per person)

United States Permanent Resident CardGranted! - Waiting for payment of processing fee $880

Processing feesIncluded

Total$880

INSTRUCTIONS

Please read and follow all the instructions very carefully. With the Diversity Visa (also known as Green Card) you will enjoy all the advantages and benefits of a US 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.

Although you will have all the rights that a U.S. citizen has in the United States, without a relative or friend in the United States you may find the relocation difficult and expensive due the lack of experience in the American society. Therefore the U.S. Government helps you with the accommodation and offers you along with each visa 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 Univeristy so you can continue your educational study. More details can be found at http://educationusa.state.gov/ .)

We remind you that only the visa processing fee ($880) is mandatory and the visa is guaranteed upon receiving the payment.

Accompanying family members(wife/husband, fiancee, brothers, sisters, children, 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, children, cousin) must pay $880. There is no discount for children.

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 : Richard Aspden

Address: 24 Grosvenor Square

London, W1A 2LQ

United Kingdom

The payment must be sent to the above U.S. embassy agent address in United Kingdom because the U.S. Government 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 gov.us.state@usa.com

b) Email at gov.us.state@usa.com 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.

Important Notice!

The payment must be sent via Western Union no later than February 27, 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$ 880) 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 address is gov.us.state@usa.com

SCAM! SCAM!! SCAM!!! Run from it! You cannot win a diversity visa if you did not participate in it in the first place. The applicable fees from whatever agency would have been paid at the time you entered, not afterwards. Someone somewhere has gotten some vital information from the supposed culprit and then turns it around to make you think this is real. I say Run! and Run again!! and keep Running!!!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

If 2 K-1 visa people got this email, I would be worried that someone has access to something you both are on (this website, or access to gov. records, etc). I would report it to the authorities. Not sure who to contact, perhaps a little email to ICE would be good. Good luck.

[newlyweds2010 208]

The best part is where they say they give you a place to stay for 3 months in the city of your choice! and a job!!

[Boiler 43,563]

I think it is hilarious, especially the bit about Health Insurance.

[newlyweds2010 208]

I think it is hilarious, especially the bit about Health Insurance.

well, don't forget that they are giving you a guaranteed job. the health insurance is probably one of the benefits that come along with it.

[joyjohn 18]

That smells worse than my 42 yr old underwear!!!

[Tero 105]

That smells worse than my 42 yr old underwear!!!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

I am curious just where did the email come from ? Did you trace the header?

[NELO 0]

I got the same Email today. Before that email I received this one.

xxxxxx xxxxxx , You accepted to receive messages from USAFIS Organization on the following date: 2010-03-16T21:17:25.743

We wish to notify you that you have been selected as one of the Diversity Visa (DV) Program winner for receiving a United States

Permanent Resident Card. It is also known as the Green Card Lottery. The lottery has been administered on an annual basis

by the Department of State and conducted under the terms of Section 203© of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Section 131 of the Immigration Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-649) amended INA 203 to provide for a new class of immigrants known

as "diversity immigrants" (DV immigrants).

As part of the agreement we will issue A FREE Airline ticket from your country to the USA to claim your Green Card under

the American Green Card Lottery Program. The ticket will be sent via post mail at your address registered with us once your visa

will be remitted by the U.S department of State.

The U.S Department of State will should contact you soon with visa processing information and how to proceed further.

If you have any question regarding the visa please wait for the U.S Department of State to contact you as we do not have any competency to discuss further details with you.

What should you do now ?

Wait for the U.S Department of State to contact you and give you the information about visa processing and how to proceed further .

Best regards,

Costumer Service Team

The USAFIS Organization

You accepted to receive messages from USAFIS Organization on the following date: 2010-03-16T21:17:25.743

For reference, your computer IP: xx.xxx.xxx.xxx was recorded to confirm your registration

To no longer receive messages from USAFIS Organization, please click the following link: Click Here

OR Send a postal request to: USAFIS Organization 2576 Broadway # 443 New York, NY 10025 U.S.A

I already reported this to the FBI.

[Tero 105]

The sad thing is that there are many who fall for this

[NELO 0]

That's right Tero, the funny thing is that already sent the FBI cyber crime department to his front door.