The US Embassy in Accra is advising the public against the activities of fraudsters promising a permanent U.S. resident permit or green card via the U.S. Diversity Visa lottery program. The Embassy said in a statement issued in Accra Wednesday that the scammers are sending congratulatory messages via email that ask recipients to pay various fees through the Western Union Money Transfer for a permit or green card. The Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy therefore counseled the public to follow the underlisted steps to understand how the results of the lottery are released and to avoid falling victim to scams related to the Diversity Visa Lottery.

• Starting on May 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, all entrants can check the status of their entry through the Entry Status Check on the E-DV website www.dvlottery.state.gov.
• Entry Status Check is the ONLY means by which lottery winners/selectees will be notified of their selection for DV-2012.
• Entry Status Check provides successful selectees with instructions on how to proceed with the visa application, and notifies candidates of immigrant visa interview appointments.
• Selectees are no longer notified of their selection by land mail, and are not notified via email.
• The "Selection of Applicants" section of the DV Instructions online provides information about the DV time frame and process.

Additional information about the DV program can be found at the US Department of State’s website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types. Story by Myjoyonline.com/Ghana