Missouri S&T’s University Police have received reports of a scam targeting international students and staff in our campus community. The scam involves an email or letter on official-looking letterhead that appears to come the U.S. Department of State and mentions a green card from the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. View an example.

The letter provides instructions to complete U.S. State Department documentation and send various amounts of money for an “immigrant visa” fee and an “affidavit of support” fee to the U.S. Embassy or the National Visa Center. The letter also instructs the recipient to contact the U.S. Immigration Foreign Post in Bangkok, Thailand. The sender will typically put a date on the letter that is soon, prompting immediate action from the victim.

Chief Doug Roberts, director of Missouri S&T’s University Police, offers the following tips to avoid falling for a scam:

• Before responding to any requests for money, verify the legitimacy of the communication. Look for obvious signs of fraud, including typographical errors and unfounded businesses or agencies.
• Email addresses and phone numbers can be created that appear to be legitimate.
• Protect yourself and verify the legitimacy of communications with someone you trust. On campus, you can contact one of the following:
  • International and Cultural Affairs
  • Southwestern Bell Cultural Center
  • University Police, available 24/7 at 341-3000 and Room G-10 Campus Support Facility