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Woman Receives Scam Email Regarding Diversity Immigration Visa Program


Posted on Sep 02, 2011

IrishCentral Staff writer Evelyn Tiernan is just one of an estimated 15 million people who apply for the United States diversity visa each year. The green card, which grants 50,000 people from around the world permanent residency in America based on a lottery, is designed to increase ethnic diversity in the United States and give immigrants from smaller countries a chance to work and live in the U.S.

Teirnan, who had applied for the diversity visa several times in recent years, wanted to move to New York City or perhaps San Francisco – to live the American dream and to follow a few friends who had been lucky enough to secure residency in the past. When she received an email informing her that she had won the lottery and would be given a green card, she was ecstatic. However, a closer look at the email revealed several red flags.

The email, which purported to be from the U.S. State Department, asked her to wire $819 to someone in England for processing fees. The email also stated that upon entry into the United States, the new citizen would be given a job, a place to live, and free health insurance.

Upon investigation, Tiernan found that she could have been the victim of a popular scam, which asks recipients to send fees to scammers under the false pretense that they will receive a green card.

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