⚠ Scam Warning. This page describes a real, documented scam pattern targeting visa applicants. If you have been approached or defrauded, report it to your local police and the relevant embassy or government authority.

Green Card Lottery Scams: DV Lottery Fraud Warning (2026)

The US Diversity Visa (DV) lottery is a real, free US government program that makes approximately 55,000 green cards available each year. But fraudsters have built a massive scam industry around it -- charging fees to enter the free program, selling fake "winning notification" services, and collecting money for nonexistent DV lottery results. Tens of thousands of people are defrauded by Green Card lottery scams each year.

Quick Answers

Is the Green Card lottery (DV lottery) real?

Yes. The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery is a real US State Department program. Approximately 55,000 diversity immigrant visas are made available annually. BUT: registration is completely free at dvlottery.state.gov. The US government never charges to register or to receive results. Any payment for DV lottery registration or results is fraudulent.

How do I know if I received a fake DV lottery notification?

A fake DV lottery notification: (1) Arrives by email, SMS, WhatsApp, or social media -- real DV results are only viewable at dvlottery.state.gov; (2) Asks you to pay fees to claim your "win"; (3) Provides a case number to verify "your selection" -- real DV results use the Entrant Status Check at dvlottery.state.gov, not third-party case numbers; (4) Creates urgency ("claim within 48 hours or lose your spot").

When and how does the real DV lottery work?

The real DV lottery registration period is typically October-November each year for the following fiscal year. Registration is free at dvlottery.state.gov. Results are announced May the following year and viewable only at dvlottery.state.gov using your confirmation number. Winners are then contacted by the US Embassy in their country for the immigrant visa process, which has its own real, official fees paid at the official NVC (National Visa Center) or embassy.

How Green Card Lottery Scams Work

Step 1: Fake DV Lottery Registration Services

Websites and agents charge USD 25-200 to "register" you in the DV lottery. The real registration is free at dvlottery.state.gov. Some fraudulent services do actually submit your entry (for free, since that is how the program works) -- but still charge you illegally for a service you could have done yourself for nothing. Others simply take your money and never register you at all.

Step 2: Fake Winning Notifications

Scammers send emails or messages claiming the recipient has won the DV lottery and must pay fees to "process" their immigrant visa. These are 100% fake. Real DV lottery results are available only at dvlottery.state.gov. The US government does not email DV lottery results. If you receive a winning notification by any channel other than dvlottery.state.gov, it is a scam.

Step 3: Fee Escalation

After the initial "processing fee," scammers demand additional payments: "embassy fee," "background check fee," "USCIS processing fee," "shipping fee for your visa." Each payment is framed as the last step before your green card arrives. Victims lose thousands before realizing the scam.

The Real DV Lottery: How It Actually Works

  1. Registration opens ~October-November at dvlottery.state.gov (free, no payment)
  2. You receive a confirmation number at registration (keep this safe)
  3. Results announced ~May: check using your confirmation number at dvlottery.state.gov
  4. If selected: you receive instructions from the US Embassy in your country for the immigrant visa interview
  5. Real official fees: DS-260 form (free), immigrant visa fee (approximately USD 325 per person), payable only through the official NVC system
  6. Medical exam: paid directly to a USCIS-designated physician in your country

At no stage does the US government contact DV lottery winners via WhatsApp, personal email from private accounts, or social media. All official communication is through official US Embassy channels and the official NVC system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries are not eligible for the DV lottery?

Countries that sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US in the previous 5 years are ineligible. In recent years, ineligible countries have included India, China, Mexico, the Philippines, Vietnam, Nigeria, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Korea, and others. Check the annual eligible country list at travel.state.gov each registration year as eligibility changes annually. If your country is ineligible, you may still qualify if you were born in an eligible country or if your spouse was born in an eligible country.

I paid someone to register me for the DV lottery -- was I scammed?

The payment was fraudulent since DV registration is free. However, if they actually registered you, your entry may be valid. Check your confirmation number at dvlottery.state.gov. If you have no confirmation number, they likely never registered you. Report the fraud to the US FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the US State Department Fraud Office.

More Visa Scam Warnings

Last reviewed: February 2026 · About · Report inaccuracy