IN SHORT: Whereas many younger individuals on the African continent are eager to make a life in the USA, they’d be suggested to avoid this “registration portal”.
“UNITED STATES Visa Lottery Application Form 2022/2023 Is Out,” reads a message posted on Facebook and WhatsApp, and circulating in African international locations.
“The U.S DV Visa Lottery online Application Form 2022/2023 registration exercise is the quickest way for all foreigners interested in immigrating legally to live, Study and work in UNITED STATES,” the message reads.
It additional states that the “Resident Card Lottery” programme, also referred to as the “Diversity Immigration Visa Lottery”, is an opportunity for 45,000 individuals from everywhere in the world to develop into everlasting and authorized residents of the USA.
It claims that it will allow them to stay, work and research within the nation.
“Interested Applicants are to visit Online Registration Portal. The Winners Will Be Drawn From Random Selection And There Is No Cost To Register,” it instructs.
It then hyperlinks to a website the place individuals can supposedly apply for the visa lottery.
The diversity immigrant visa programme, or DV program, usually referred to as the inexperienced card lottery, is a legitimate effort run by the US state department. It has strict standards for candidates, and the appliance window is often solely open for a month or so, in October and November of every 12 months.
Nevertheless, fraudsters pretending to symbolize the US authorities are so prevalent that the division dedicates a webpage to recommendation on how one can keep away from being scammed.
So is this website legit? We checked.
Engagement bait rip-off
When clicking on the link, our pc antivirus programme instantly warned us that this was a malicious hyperlink.
We opened the hyperlink nonetheless to search out out if the provide is legit.
It asks the applicant to fill of their title, cellphone quantity, electronic mail tackle, nation of origin and to specify their gender.
Suspiciously, no matter whether or not you fill in these particulars appropriately, mismatch the small print or simply click on “apply” with out getting into any particulars, you continue to get a message of congratulations and are led to the subsequent stage.
The stage asks for English language proficiency, employment standing and age.
After filling within the particulars, a message pops up which reads: “You may get the U.S.A Resident Card Lottery Form” with just one step, kindly click on the “SHARE TO CONTINUE” button beneath to share this info with 15 pals or 5 teams on WhatsApp so That They Can Aslo Profit.”
Candidates have additionally been warned that if they don’t full the “sharing to WhatsApp” step appropriately, they won’t get the US inexperienced card registration type.
That is an instance of engagement bait. These are often social media posts that ask individuals to work together by liking, commenting or sharing. It will increase the publish’s attain however there isn’t a reward. They might additionally try to steal invaluable private info.
To assist shield your self towards on-line fraudsters, learn our guide to Facebook scams and how to spot them. And solely observe hyperlinks you’ll be able to confirm, significantly in the case of official authorities processes like visa functions.
Ronald Ibrahim produced this report as a mentee underneath Africa Verify’s mentorship programme funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).
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