CONSUMER ALERT
Federal Trade Commission
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Office of Consumer and Business Education
Green Card Lottery Scams
Washington, D.C. -- If you or someone you know is trying to obtain a green
card--the right to live permanently in the United States--be on the alert for unscrupulous
businesses and attorneys who claim that, for a fee, they can increase your chances of
winning the U. S. State Department's annual green card lottery.
Each year the State Department conducts a green card lottery through its diversity
visa program to distribute applications for 55,000 immigrant visas. Winners of the lottery
have a chance to apply for an immigrant visa, which can be used to enter the U.S. Winners
are selected randomly and there is no fee to enter the lottery. If the winner files a
successful application, he or she can enter the U.S. and exchange the immigrant visa for a
green card, issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). If the winner is
in the U.S. already, he or she can get a green card from INS without leaving the country.
The Scam
Some businesses and attorneys use misrepresentations and unfair practices to
promote services to consumers who hope to win a chance to apply for a green card through
the lottery program. Among the deceptions scam artists use are statements that:
-- they are affiliated with the U.S. Government;
-- special expertise or a special application form is required to enter the
lottery;
-- their company never has had a lottery entry rejected, and
-- their company can increase an applicant's chances of "winning" the
lottery.
In addition, some fraudulent companies jeopardize an applicant's opportunity to
participate in the lottery by filing multiple entries; and try to force lottery-winning
applicants to pay substantial fees to complete the visa and green card application
process. A delay in processing a winner's application can kill their chances for a green
card because the State Department selects more winners than there are visas available. The
State Department awards visas on a first-come, first-served basis.
Protecting Yourself
The best way to protect yourself from green card lottery scam artists is to
understand how the State Department's lottery works.
-- Entering the green card lottery is straightforward and costs nothing. You can
enter on your own by following the instructions available from the State Department or
your local consumer affairs office. There is no entry form. Hiring an attorney or company
to enter the lottery for you is your decision.
-- Do not submit more than one entry. If you do, you will be disqualified
automatically.
-- No special techniques or loopholes are available to increase your
chances of winning the green card lottery. Selection of entries in the lottery is
random.