$9000.00 US government grant
Complaint
ToDD
Country: United States
Have received 3 to 4 calls from different people with foreign accents, maybe from India, claiming I had been chosen to receive $9000.00 government grant to use for anything I wanted, I have not received the promised monetary remuneration yet. Each gave me a number to call and a cofirmation number. The last phone number was 646-780-9933 which area code is in New York, NY . The four numbers of origin for the callsometime were 202-681-8227; 202-656-2513 ; 202-681-8063; and 202-681-8227.
Comments
I played along, called the given number and spoke with a guy who identified himself as "Steven James". He got several details mixed up in what steps would be required next, as well as where I was located. He also gave me his "Extension" (#325) as some kind of verification. The bottom line: I would need to use $200 cash to purchase a special "registration card" at any popular store; but only at his direction--to be sure to get the correct card. That card would be used to verify me as the recipient of the $9K grant. I had him call me back a few days later.
His callback came from 202-681-8063, a number that has all kinds of "hits" for being a scam source. He referred to himself as "James from the US Treasury" and wanted to know if I was now in a position to meet the requirements to get my grant money. I told him "no" and that I was OK with passing up the opportunity. He was courteous in concluding the conversation. I will not be surprised if I see an up-tick in the number of scam calls I get in the near future.