We have received forwards of several e-mails concerning DV Lottery scams where people are receiving congratulatory letters/e-mails about winning the DV Lottery. Although the real process does require a fee payment, if the fraudulent party requests fees, then your payment is as good as gone.

Our office conducted investigations with the U.S. authorities and found many of these congratulatory claims to be fraudulent. Please consider that it is very easy to fall for a scam if it is done by a professional fraud, which may have any of the following descriptions:

• Office located outside the U.S. to make it difficult for U.S. authorities to influence them (laws will be different in other countries)
• Office is within the U.S., and sells your information to another party who actually performs the scam