Officials warn of 'Green Card Scam'

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - A warning for those looking to get a U.S. Green Card or those who know someone applying for one.

U.S. Department of State says crooks are posing as government officials to steal money from Diversity Visa applicants.

The scam can come in the form of an e-mail or a even a letter. The subject line reads, "CONGRATULATION YOU HAVE WON U.S.A. GREEN CARD VISA!!!"

At first glance, the body of the e-mail looks official. The header includes the U.S. Department of State's logo. It even provides a case number. However, a closer look shows the e-mail recipient must claim the prized visa by e-mailing addresses with ".hm" or ".org." U.S. government officials say that is a big warning sign, because anything without ".gov" as a suffix is not from the government.

According to the U.S. Department of State's website, the government will never notify visa applicants of their status via e-mail. Instead, if visa applicants do get an e-mail from the government, it will notify them to check their visa application status through their account created on the government's secure online website. Also, it states the government will never ask applicants to send payment in advance via check, money order, or wire transfer. Fees due are paid to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at the time of a scheduled appointment.

For those who have received an internet fraud e-mail, there are several ways to file a complaint.

For more info about which agencies to contact and to learn more about the U.S. Department of State's warning about this U.S. Green Card scam, click here: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/general/fraud.html