DV Lottery Scams in Ghana: Fake Agents, Fake Winner Messages and Lookalike Websites

Short answer: the US government never emails, texts, calls or WhatsApps anyone to say they won the visa lottery, and it never asks for payment except the $1 entry fee on dvprogram.state.gov and the $330 visa fee paid at the embassy by real selectees. Any "you won, pay to process" message is a scam.

Last checked: 22 October 2026. With DV-2027 registration expected by 1 November and the new $1 fee, expect a wave of these scams.

The 7 DV lottery scams in Ghana

1. "Congratulations, you won" messages. Emails, SMS or WhatsApp messages claiming you were selected and must pay a "processing", "visa" or "ticket" fee. The State Department says it has never notified winners by email or letter. Results are only on the official Entrant Status Check.
2. Agents who keep your confirmation number. They enter you, keep the number, and demand a large fee (or worse) if you win. The State Department warns about exactly this.
3. Lookalike websites. Sites with "dv", "lottery" or "greencard" in the name that charge GHS 100 to GHS 500 to "submit" your entry. The only official site ends in .state.gov.
4. "Guaranteed" or "priority" entries. Selection is random by computer. Nobody can raise your chances.
5. Fake Kentucky Consular Center or embassy staff. Messages using the name of the real US office that processes DV cases, asking for money by MoMo or Western Union.
6. Fake sponsors and documents. People selling "affidavits of support", fake certificates or fake bank statements for the interview. Fraudulent documents get you refused and can ban you from the US.
7. "Marry a winner" deals. Paying to be added as a spouse. Sham marriages are visa fraud: the embassy checks, and both people can be refused and banned.

How to protect yourself

• Type dvprogram.state.gov yourself. Never enter through a link someone sends you.
• Pay only the $1 on the official site. Never pay anyone by MoMo for a DV entry or result.
• Keep your own confirmation number and use your own email address.
• Check results only on the official Entrant Status Check.
• Look up any agent's or "officer's" phone number on TrustCheck before you reply.

Already paid a scammer?

Call your MoMo provider or bank immediately to try to stop the money, report to the Cyber Security Authority on 292, and report the number on TrustCheck so others are warned. See how to report a scam in Ghana and fake visa agent scams.