US warns of fraudsters

Oct 07, 2005

THE United States government has warned against internet fraudsters out to fleece unsuspecting Ugandans who apply for the famous Green Card to live and work in America.

By Alfred Wasike

THE United States government has warned against internet fraudsters out to fleece unsuspecting Ugandans who apply for the famous Green Card to live and work in America.

The US consular chief in Kampala, Nathan Flook, announced that the official State Department 2007 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration opened globally from October 5, 2005 at 7:00pm (East African Time) to December 4, 2005 in search of the 50,000 who will be issued with permanent residency visas.

“The programme, designed to bring greater racial and ethnic diversity to the US, offers permanent residency visas to citizens of nations that have a low level of immigration to the US. Persons seeking to enter the lottery programme must register online through the designated website (www.dvlottery.state.gov) during the registration period.

“Registration is free of charge,” Flook, flanked by the new public affairs officer at the embassy, Alyson Grunder, stressed.

He said the embassy had received complaints of fraud but declined to disclose details. He said over 100 Ugandans won the lottery but added, “I don’t know how many finally entered the US, because the winners are subject to the Department of Homeland Security who have to interview them before allowing them entry.”

He took journalists on a tour of the state-of-the- art, tightly-guarded visa section at the embassy.

He said according to the Federal Trade Commission (the US’ consumer protection agency), some businesses and lawyers misrepresent their services by saying they were affiliated with the US Government.

Flook said the fraudsters claim that they had never had lottery entries rejected or that their companies can increase entrants’ chances.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});