“Visa Lottery Victory?” Why Paying a Consultant Could Cost You Everything — The Hidden Truth About U.S. Green Card Scams Targeting Europe

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 In recent years, with increasing enthusiasm from European nationals toward U.S. immigration pathways, the market for “immigration consulting” has exploded. Unfortunately, so has the rise of sophisticated scams targeting hopeful applicants—especially those applying for the Diversity Visa (DV), commonly known as the U.S. visa lottery.

As an immigration legal expert with years of hands-on experience, I’ve witnessed firsthand how applicants from the UK, Germany, France, and beyond fall victim to misinformation, deceptive agents, and unlawful “consultants” who charge thousands of euros in exchange for false promises. The goal of this article is simple: to expose these schemes, explain the actual process, and help you avoid losing money—or worse, your immigration eligibility.

Driven by global instability, policy shifts, and post-pandemic economic trends, more Europeans are seeking relocation options in the U.S. According to 2024 industry data, the number of DV entries from Europe has grown significantly, with German applicants alone increasing by 28% year-over-year. 

However, this interest has also attracted bad actors: nearly 12% of European applicants reported encountering scams or fraudulent consultants during the application process.

Take Sarah from the UK, for example. In early 2024, she paid over $2,000 to a so-called "U.S. immigration consultant" who promised to boost her chances of winning the DV lottery. After months of silence, she discovered that not only had she never been selected, but the company had vanished. Her case is hardly unique.

Many applicants are unaware that the U.S. government never sends emails, letters, or calls to notify DV applicants of their selection. There are no advance warnings. No congratulatory phone calls. The only way to check your DV status is through the official Entrant Status Check system using a confirmation number received upon entry. If you don’t have that number, you won’t know if you were selected—and no one else can check for you.


Markus, a German applicant, fell for one of the more convincing scam formats. He received what looked like an official government email with a logo, legal disclaimer, and a payment link. 

The email claimed he had been selected and must pay €840 as an “administrative processing fee.” He paid—and never heard back. It was a scam, confirmed by the U.S. embassy in Berlin.

Fake emails. Fake websites. Fake case managers. These tactics have evolved into a multi-national industry targeting European residents who often don’t speak fluent legal English and who are unfamiliar with U.S. immigration bureaucracy. 

Some fraudsters pose as U.S. government employees. Others claim to have “special internal connections” or “guaranteed outcomes” if a hefty fee is paid upfront.

The truth? There are no shortcuts. In 2025 alone, over 11 million people applied for the DV program. Only about 50,000 were selected—putting the selection rate below 0.5%. No consultant can change that. The system is randomized. Any promise to “increase your chances” is inherently dishonest.

Worse, some consultants advise clients to submit false information—like claiming a fake spouse or inventing educational background—to “qualify better.” That kind of fraud doesn’t just lead to disqualification. It can result in permanent ineligibility for any future U.S. visa.

This is what happened to Johan, a Swedish applicant. At the suggestion of his “visa consultant,” he listed a distant cousin as his spouse to meet perceived family quotas. During his consular interview, inconsistencies were detected. His visa was denied, and he was flagged for presenting false information. The penalty? A ban from entering the United States.

The only safe and legitimate way to apply for the DV lottery is to submit your own information truthfully. If someone helps you, make sure they use your correct data and provide you with the confirmation number—your only proof that the entry was submitted. If you don’t have it, you’ve lost your ability to check results.

Other critical rules include:

  • You can only apply once per year. Multiple entries will disqualify you.

  • Your photo must be taken within six months before submission.

  • Fees, if you’re selected, are paid in person at the U.S. embassy or consulate during your visa interview. The government never asks for wire transfers, checks, or advance payments.

Despite these clear rules, many applicants still fall into the trap of trusting unlicensed agents. Eveline, a Dutch applicant, paid €1,500 to a consulting agency that promised “full handling” of her DV case. After she was selected, the company demanded an additional “translation fee” before they’d “unlock” her appointment. When she reached out to the U.S. consulate directly, she learned that no such process existed—and she had been scammed.

So how do you protect yourself?

Start by working only with verified professionals—preferably U.S.-licensed immigration attorneys who provide written agreements and transparent fee structures. Unlike shady agencies, licensed attorneys are subject to U.S. law, ethics rules, and liability standards. Be cautious of firms that:

  • Demand large sums upfront

  • Offer “guaranteed” lottery success

  • Ask for payment via money orders or cryptocurrency

  • Won’t provide a physical address or a written contract

  • Refuse to give you access to your confirmation number

For DV-related matters, you should never be paying more than a few hundred dollars in consultation fees. Anything beyond that, especially without a contract, is a red flag. In France, Spain, and Belgium, consumer protection groups have warned residents to avoid immigration agencies that overcharge for “lottery services.”

The most tragic losses I’ve seen as a professional have not come from denied visas, but from applicants who trusted the wrong people and were either financially exploited or permanently barred due to avoidable mistakes.

Immigration is a life-changing decision. But it should never be a desperate gamble—especially not with people who have no accountability.

If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this:
Only YOU can check your DV results.
Only YOU are responsible for the information you submit.
No one can increase your odds.
No legitimate entity will ask you to pay before your visa interview.
Never add fake family members or lie about qualifications—ever.

Stay informed. Stay skeptical. Stay safe. The opportunity to immigrate is real—but so are the risks of trying to cheat the system or trusting the wrong hands.