I received two calls but I only answered one where the non English speaking female gave me a confirmation number and a phone number to call. I didn't call the number because I knew it was a scam. I do not know how they got my number & my number is on a Do Not Call list.
The very same thing happened to me. On Friday Sept. 12, 2014. I had a lady call me saying I was chosen along with 14 other people to get a $7,800.00 Grant that I would never have to pay back for the rest of my life. Somehow the call got disconnected and I had called back the same number. An Indian man named John Cooper told me the very same thing the lady told me from the start. It sounded promising. I'm very desperate for money and thought if give it a try. John Cooper then told me that id have to purchase a "Green Dot Money Pack" either from CVS, 7/11, K-Mart ect.. To load it with $195. I had told him I only had $100 at the moment and he said it was ok. That they would take it and when I would get my $7,800.00, that I'd have to pay them back with that money. I agreed and I went to the nearest CVS and bought the "GDMP". John Cooper waited on the phone the entire time from the first time we've talked till the end. Let's just say about all in all it was about 5hours on the phone with him. He then asked for the number on the back of the "GDMP". Telling me that he would need to get my file processed. About 15m wait. He then asked for my zip code so he can locate me to the nearest Western Union so there I can RECIEVE my $7,800.00. I drove to the address. It was not even a Western Union store. It was called "Check N Go". I then waited for the next step which took 30m waiting on the phone. He then told me he was very sorry but the federal grant ((something something)) --not sure what he said-- had sent him an email that in order for me to RECIEVE my money I had to pay the remaining $95 before they can finish and finally send the $7,800.00 to the Western Union. ((Which kind do confused me because the address he gave me was not a western union.)) I told myself, I've already given them $100 of my money and that is just have to give them another $95 to get this over with. He then told me I had to buy another "GDMP" and load the remaining balance of $95. So which I did, gave him the new number on the back of the new GDMP. Then waited another 15-20. So by this time, I told myself "I'm almost finished." ((All of this time we were still on the phone, never hung up or anything)) this lady took over and told me that there was something else they forgot to tell me. She told me that I will be receiving this $7,800.00 for 5more years. I was overwhelmed and didn't know what to say besides thank you. After she told me that, she then told me that she just recieved a confirmation email that before I RECIEVE my money that I would have to pay the total of $500 tax. At this point I have lost it. I then started believing that I had been scammed. I broke down started crying, telling her that I wanted my $195 back. She told me that she wasn't able to do that because it was too late. Really? I was very very upset! She told me that I can pay %50 of the $500 tax which is $250 and that when I RECIEVE my $7,800.00 that I can pay them the rest of the remaining balance $250 for the tax. I lost it.! I told her that, that's exactly what John Cooper told me about the $195 and it never worked. I then told her that the entire time I was on the phone with John Cooper that he did not imply me with this extra $500tax is have to pay. That I was mislead. She then told me that she was not able to give me my money back and that she will put my file on hold and that when I have $250 to call her back so I can have my money. I hung up. Had to pull myself together. I called back the number no answer. But I had a (661) 748-0240
Palmdale Area call me back. These people are supposed. Be calling from Washington. Why all of a sudden did they call me with a different number from Palmdale? I was so mad. I called the cops. They told me it's most likely a scan and for me to go to the nearest police station and file a report and ask for a detective to work on it. Today is Monday. I was very curious to know what would happen if I called them back. So I did just about an hour ago. I have asked for John Cooper. The same lady I last talked to on Friday had picked up and said he had already left. Sorry for my inappropriate language.. But I said "Bull***t" I want to speak with John Cooper. And she already knew my name without asking me. And I said "you guys told me you are working with the government, I would like a recording of what John Cooper and you and I have talked about on Friday." She then tried talking over me and I yelled saying "listen" she then stopped and I told her "don't you guys feel bad of what you guys are doing to these people? Misleading them onto fake grants that they have won!" She then told me "if you are ready to pay your $250 for tax call me back, if not I can't help you." I then hung up. My husband told me that if you ever won anything. You don't pay for anything. Why would they make you pay for something you've already won. My husband has a point. This was a $200 lesson for me. I'm still very upset. All these poor innocent victims. This is very sad. Just to know how much money they have been collecting and how many people have they fooled. This is ridiculous. If I can stop this I would. But it's not in my power. I do not know how to stop these people. I hope others will read my comment and please don't give up ur money.
THIS IS A SCAM. They will call people with different numbers. They don't even have to say the same reasons why. They could say you won from a grant or they can even tell you that the government pulled up ur file and tell you, you have criminal records and that u have to pay a certain amount of money or else they will show up to your house and take you. These people are horrible. PLEASE BE AWARE OF SCAMMERS.