I got a call from this number 202-657-5098 stating that I have been approve for $10k from Grants US which were available for me right way. To get them I need to go to a Western Union office to deposit $149+$21=$170 to get the $10k money with no obligation, repaid or anything, just because I have been paying my taxes and duties promptly!
After sending the $149 to CAROLYN MOSOFF at CULVER CITY, CA 90230 they gave me a MTCN number from Western Union, code that should be activate with another money send transfer to same individual and address, this time for $499. After arguing they drop it to $170 which I haven't paid after calling the US Grant office and get notice that this could be fraud, for sure it is.
Said so, please help other to avoid this type of fraud/scam.
Just got the same call except they told me that I would get 20,000. All I needed to do was pay $199. The guy who called me said his name is Shane and his employee number is 2048. He called from an unknown number but then said if I needed to call back to call (202)657-5098. He also told me that they're address was 200 Independance Ave, Washington D.C., DC 20201. Please be aware that this is fraud and do not give any money.
Yeah, I just got off the phone with a guy with a think Indian (country) accent. I got the same shpeel everyone else gets. I am a good person, paying my taxes, and this is a kickback from my taxes. It is a grant so I don't have to pay it back. He asked me what I would use the money for. I said fixing up my house. He said good, that I am a good taxpaying person, and he was "damn sure" I would not mis-use the money for gambling or anything like that. LOL
I am to go to the Western Union at the local Rite Aid (there is no Western Union there) and bring $149 with me, so they can verify my photo ID. I am to call him before I go into the store.
I told him I don't have the 149 but he could just take it out of the $20,000 grant I was getting. Of course he said they could not use that money because it is mine. So I told him I would borrow the money. He wanted to know exactly how long it would take for me to be at the Rite Aid. I said 1 hour because I had to get the money first. I am trying to figure out if there is some way to bust him.
THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SCAM. The government does not pick your name out and send you grant money. And they don't need money to verify your photo ID. It is kind of funny to me that these guys could not tell I was stringing them along.
I just recieved he same call wanting to give me $20,000 in exchange for $149.00 but I was supposed to go to the local grocery. I played along to be able to get as much info from him that I could. I called the FBI, local police, and the Washington, D.C. police. All agreed it was a scam. I am now in contact with my local TV station for them to put it on the news. If anyone gets a call from this number report it to your local police, then call your local TV station. The Washington, D,C. police said they could not trace the number (they tried while I was on the phone with them) because it is a drop phone like Boost Mobile, etc. Don't fall for this and let especially any elder person you know about this. Also, this man who was apparently of Middle Eastern desent said his name was James Parker. lol. He knew my home phone number, cell phone number, and my home address. How he got this information is beyond me. Call your phone companies and have them put a block on his number. Another scam on the internet: You might get an email from your service provider asking you to update your account information by asking your email address and your credit card info. This is also a scam to get your person information. Don't go there. Forward it to your service provider.
Texas...just got the same call. I asked if there was anyone that I could call to verify what the foreign man was telling me. He gave me the name of a Jim Berker and a phone number where Mr. Berker would be at...202-657-5098. Apparently, I was approved for a $20K grant. Thanks for letting me know what a scam this is.