By Richard T. Herman, Esq., Immigration Attorney (Herman Legal Group)
Each year, the U.S. Department of State administers the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program, which allocates 50,000 immigrant visas—known as diversity visas—annually to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
Expert Viewpoint
“The DV Lottery can transform lives, but its openness also invites abuse,” explains Richard T. Herman, Esq., founder of the Herman Legal Group. “Real security comes from smarter identity systems—not from shutting doors on legitimate immigrants.”
When applying for the DV Lottery, it is crucial to use only official websites ending in .gov, including U.S. Embassy and consulate websites, as these are the only legitimate sources for visa related information. Other websites, such as those ending in .com, .org, or .net, may be fraudulent or misleading and should not be trusted for visa related information. Always verify your DV Lottery status and application details through official government portals to avoid scams and misinformation.
Introduction: The Promise—and the Exploits—of the DV Lottery
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Lottery) offers a life-changing opportunity: each year, 50,000 immigrant visas are made available to individuals from countries with low U.S. immigration rates. Managed by the U.S. Department of State, the program allows qualified applicants to enter for free—until now. Entering the Diversity Visa Lottery is free; any request for payment to enter the lottery is a scam. The U.S. government will never ask for payment in advance for a Diversity Visa application. Fees for the Diversity Visa application process are only paid to the U.S. Embassy or consulate at the time of the scheduled appointment. The Diversity Visa Lottery program awards a limited number of visas each year through a random selection process from eligible countries.
The immigration process for the DV Lottery can be complex, and it is important to consult an immigration attorney to ensure compliance with current immigration laws and avoid errors or scams. When seeking information or assistance, always verify that you are using legitimate and useful immigration resources by relying on official government and embassy websites, such as those provided by the Department of Homeland Security, which offers accurate information and guidance on scam prevention. If you encounter fraudulent activity or scams, report them to immigration services such as USCIS to help protect yourself and others.
In 2025, the U.S. government introduced a $1 entry fee and a series of anti-fraud reforms after years of warnings by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Office of Inspector General (OIG) that fraudulent activity in the lottery had become “endemic.”
The Five Most Common DV Lottery Fraud Patterns
1) Fake “Agents” and Visa Brokers
Unauthorized “visa consultants” and brokers exploit the system by filing entries for others—often without consent—then demanding large “release” payments if the person is selected. Using an untrustworthy visa consultant can put applicants at risk of fraud, unnecessary fees, and loss of personal information. Many applicants use “visa agents” who sometimes exploit them. DV applicants are frequently targeted by these scams and should be especially vigilant to avoid falling victim.
Congressional hearings documented cases where agents sold “winning” entries to the highest bidder. (See the House Judiciary Committee record and House Report 112-275.)
Official warnings such as U.S. Embassy Tehran’s “Don’t Be Fooled by Scams” advisory emphasize that no third party is authorized to guarantee or manage a DV entry. Additionally, no organization other than the U.S. Department of State can notify lottery applicants of their winning entry. The only official way to apply for the Diversity Visa Lottery is through the U.S. Department of State’s website. The U.S. government will never send notifications to DV Lottery winners by email or letter. The U.S. Department of State advises all applicants to be familiar with the rules and procedures of the DV program to avoid scams.
2) Duplicate Entries, Identity Fraud, and Identity Switching
Under DV rules, each applicant may submit only one entry. Yet a 2003 OIG audit revealed roughly 364,000 duplicate entries—proof of large-scale manipulation. Applicants have also committed fraud by filing multiple entries under various aliases, which leads to disqualification if discovered. Submitting fake documents during the DV Lottery process is a serious violation and can result in immediate disqualification and long-term ineligibility for a U.S. visa. Applicants should only submit one entry to avoid disqualification from the Diversity Visa Lottery. Entrants must keep their entry confirmation number safe as it is necessary for checking their application status. See the State OIG hearing transcript.
The GAO’s fraud-risk analysis later confirmed that the system’s open-access model made identity-based duplication easy. The State Department has historically faced challenges in verifying fraudulent documents, especially in developing countries.
Fast Fact:
Once the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) detects duplicate entries, the entire case is void—even if one entry was genuine.
3) Marriage and Relationship Fraud
Marriage fraud remains a recurring pattern: shell relationships used to import “spouses” or “dependents.” Once selected, some individuals have used fraudulent documents to meet eligibility requirements or add fictitious family members. It is crucial to include only legal family members and eligible persons, such as a spouse or children, on the application to avoid disqualification or legal consequences. The U.S. Department of Justice has prosecuted hundreds of DV-adjacent marriage schemes, such as:
- ICE: San Diego Marriage-Fraud Agency Sentenced
- DOJ Massachusetts: Operator Pleads Guilty
- DOJ Maryland: Four Indicted for Visa Fraud
Such operations illustrate how opportunists exploit weak verification protocols in the DV system.
4) Phishing, Fake “Winner” Emails, and Official Government Websites
Fraudsters frequently impersonate government agencies, sending fake “winning” notifications that demand payment. Scammers also send fraudulent emails and letters to Diversity Visa program applicants. Fraudulent emails may request personal information such as passport details or confirmation numbers. According to the State Department’s Fraud Warning page, official DV results are posted only at dvprogram.state.gov. A successful DV entrant is not notified by email or letter; instead, they must check their status online through the DV Entrant Status Check at the official website. Visa applicants should be cautious of fraudulent communications and always verify their status through official channels, as scammers often target those seeking U.S. visas.
Victims should report scams immediately through the State Department’s reporting portal. Reporting suspicious activities to the Federal Trade Commission is advisable if scammed. Consulting the Federal Trade Commission is recommended for verifying information about DV scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has actively pursued scammers since at least 2003.
5) Regional Manipulation and Document Fraud
Fraud patterns include falsified birth certificates, educational documents, and “pop-up spouses” added post-selection. Applicants may also present fraudulent education documents or staged marriage photos to support their applications. Photos submitted for the Diversity Visa application must be taken within the last six months. Both the GAO report and House Report 112-275 identify these tactics as recurring vulnerabilities.
Spotlight: Uzbekistan’s “Green Card Broker” Scams
In Uzbekistan, brokers notoriously submit entries without applicants’ knowledge, later demanding payments to “release” confirmation numbers. The RFE/RL investigation “Samarkand Green Card Scam” exposed a thriving underground market in which identity and opportunity are commodities.
Pro Insight:
“The Uzbekistan cases taught the world a hard lesson,” observes Herman. “When a free online system meets a cottage industry of brokers, identity becomes currency.”
Enforcement Examples
- ICE: Uzbek National Sentenced for Passport Fraud Conspiracy — illustrating identity-based fraud patterns tied to DV abuse.
- OIG: 364,000 Duplicate Entries in DV-2003 — large-scale duplication confirmed.
- DOJ & ICE: Marriage Fraud Prosecutions — hundreds of convictions nationwide.
The New $1 DV Lottery Entry Fee — and Its Anti-Fraud Purpose
Beginning September 16, 2025, the State Department will charge a $1 registration fee for each DV Lottery entry under the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services Final Rule. Comments on the new rule should be submitted through official channels, as comments sent directly to department officials may not be considered.
According to the Department and industry analyses (AILA; Newsweek; Sedki Law), the fee has two key goals:
- Operational fairness — distributing the administrative costs of processing millions of entries.
- Fraud deterrence — discouraging mass or duplicate submissions by brokers and bots that exploit the free-entry system. The rule also enhances the role of consular officers in processing entries and ensuring program integrity.
The rule’s preamble explicitly states that the fee “will also help to reduce specious registrations by actors seeking to exploit unsuspecting potential entrants.”
Strategic Insight
Herman explains: “A small fee—just $1—creates a digital paper trail and imposes a cost on bulk submissions. While it has a preventive function, it could also serve as barrier.”
However, he cautions that:
“this measure must be paired with strong outreach, so legitimate applicants in low-income regions aren’t locked out due to payment barriers.”
Applicants should pay the $1 only on the official government portal and avoid any third-party payment services. Only internet sites ending in ‘.gov’ are official U.S. government websites.
Trump Administration’s Broader Anti-Fraud Strategy
1) Passport-Upload Requirement
The August 5 2025 Federal Register rule proposes that entrants must upload passport biographic and signature pages at entry. The measure targets fraud rings that submit thousands of unauthorized entries.
“The passport-upload rule goes straight to the heart of the broker scam,” notes Herman. “It ensures control rests with the applicant.”
2) Enhanced Vetting and Data Analytics
New systems cross-check entries with global databases to detect duplicates and suspicious patterns. Insights from AILA, Miller Mayer, and Envoy Global show the growing use of AI-based identity analytics.
3) Legislative Push to Eliminate DV
Bills like the Security and Fairness Enhancement for America Act would abolish the DV Lottery entirely, citing security and fraud concerns.
4) Project 2025 and Policy Context
The conservative Project 2025 immigration agenda recommends abolishing or radically shrinking the DV program. Analysis from the Niskanen Center details how this fits into broader efforts to reduce legal immigration.
Impact on Genuine Applicants
- More Verification: Expect to upload a valid passport and pay the $1 fee during registration.
- Reduced Scam Risk: Brokers can no longer mass-submit without financial or traceable risk.
- Higher Scrutiny: Consular posts in regions with historical fraud will examine cases closely. Consular officers play a key role in verifying applicant information and preventing fraud during visa interviews. If you experience undue pressure or suspect fraudulent activity at any stage, immediately inform the consular officer during your application or interview process.
- Access Challenges: Applicants in areas with limited payment infrastructure may need outreach support.
Professional Takeaway
“Integrity reforms only work when they balance fraud prevention with accessibility,” says Herman. “We must guard against scams without punishing genuine hope.”
If You Were Scammed or Affected
- Report Fraud: Use the official State reporting form.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep emails, screenshots, and payment receipts.
- Seek Legal Counsel: Experienced attorneys can help recover compromised entries or challenge wrongful denials.
- Herman Legal Group – 30 years’ experience, multilingual staff, Cleveland & Columbus offices.
- Other reference firms: Murthy Law Firm | Fragomen | BAL
If you believe you were the victim of diversity visa fraud, consider speaking with an immigration attorney. An experienced immigration attorney can provide invaluable assistance during the Diversity Visa application process.
Understanding the DV Lottery Process
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, often referred to as the green card lottery, is a unique opportunity for foreign nationals from eligible countries to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the United States. Administered by the U.S. Department of State, the diversity visa program is designed to promote immigration from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S., thereby enriching the nation’s cultural and demographic diversity.
To participate in the diversity visa lottery, applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements. These include being a native of an eligible country and possessing at least a high school education or its equivalent, or two years of qualifying work experience. The Department of State publishes a list of eligible countries and detailed instructions for each registration period, so it’s crucial for applicants to stay up to date with the latest information.
The diversity visa lottery process begins with an annual online registration period. During this time, applicants must submit their entries exclusively through the official government website—only internet sites ending in “.gov” are legitimate U.S. government websites. Using unofficial or fraudulent websites can put applicants at risk of identity fraud or financial scams. The federal trade commission and other consumer protection agencies regularly issue anti-fraud tips and guidance to help applicants identify legitimate visa services and avoid immigration scams.
Once the registration period closes, the Department of State uses a secure, random computer-generated selection process to choose diversity visa lottery winners. Those selected are notified only through the official DV program website, where they can check their status online using their unique entry confirmation number. The Kentucky Consular Center, which manages the selection process, does not send email or postal notifications to lottery winners—any such communication is likely a scam.
Selected applicants must then complete a detailed visa application, undergo a background check, and attend a medical examination. The immigrant visa process can be complex, and applicants may benefit from consulting an experienced immigration attorney to ensure they meet all requirements and avoid common pitfalls. Official government websites provide up-to-date visa information and step-by-step instructions for each stage of the process.
It’s important for applicants to be vigilant and use only official channels for all aspects of the DV lottery. Private companies or non-governmental websites that promise guaranteed selection, expedited processing, or charge fees for entry are not authorized by the U.S. government and are often fronts for immigration scams. The federal bureau of investigation, customs enforcement, and other agencies offer resources for reporting internet fraud and protecting against identity theft.
By following guidance from the Department of State, the federal trade commission, and other reputable sources, applicants can navigate the diversity visa lottery process safely and maximize their chances of success. Remember: the only official way to participate in the DV lottery is through the U.S. government’s designated website, and staying informed is the best defense against fraud.
Future Outlook (DV-2027 and Beyond)
- Passport Upload + $1 Fee Combo: The two pillars of Trump-era reform create traceability and deter bots.
- Tech-Driven Vetting: AI and inter-agency analytics will dominate fraud detection.
- Political Uncertainty: The Project 2025 plan could still phase out the lottery entirely.
- Public Education Needed: Applicants must learn to recognize scams before they spread.
Key Takeaways
- The DV Lottery has long suffered from fraud and exploitation—fake agents, duplicates, and identity sales.
- Uzbekistan’s broker market exemplified systemic abuse where entries were filed and “sold.” (RFE/RL report)
- The August 2025 passport-upload rule and the September 2025 $1 fee aim to curb these scams.
- The $1 fee deters fraud by making large-scale duplicate or automated entries costly and traceable.
- Genuine applicants should apply independently, pay only through official government sites, and avoid third-party “lottery services.”
- Consult trusted immigration counsel like Herman Legal Group for help if you suspect identity misuse.
