US Embassy in Sofia Warns of Diversity Visa Fraud

Commercial handout image released by The Amercian Dream on 01 October 2009 showing the original US green card. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The US Embassy in Sofia has asked Bulgarian citizens to disregard letters or emails stating that the recipient is a Diversity Visa Program winner - commonly known as the "Green Card Lottery" – including those that claim to be sent on behalf of the US Department of State or Bureau of Consular Affairs.

"The Department of State no longer notifies DV winners by letter and has never used emails for such purposes. Any person who receives a letter or email that mentions Diversity Visa or promises a Green Card should consider the contents illegitimate and fraudulent," reads the statement from the embassy.

The statement also reminds potential selectees that phone calls are not used for such notifications.

Entrants who completed online DV 2012 entries will not receive notification letters and must check the status of their entries by visiting the website http://dvlottery.state.gov on or after May 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

Entrants who completed online DV 2011 entries between October 2, 2009 and November 30, 2009 and who were selected in the random drawing were notified by the Department of State, Kentucky Consular Center by letter.  Entrants can also check the status of their entries by visiting the website - http://www.dvlottery.state.gov - from July 1, 2010 until June 30, 2011.

There are no third-party payments in the Diversity Visa process.  The only required payment is the visa fee itself, which is paid at the US Embassy.  No payment of any kind is required until the visa process with the embassy begins.

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