Victim Location 06112
Total money lost $261.50
Type of a scam Government Grant
I was online looking up jobs and early in the morning I received a phone call from phone number (202) 400-2606 Washington D.C. A lady with a strong accent came on the line and said "You’ve been randomly selected of the 1500 citizens to receive a grant from the Federal government a grant in the amount of 7,000 dollars in the American Recovery Reimbursement Act to stimulate the impoverished citizens. She assured me that it was real and how would I like to receive the money? I have three options through my bank account, or from a store through money gram or from a federal reserve bank. I told her I would like to receive cash. She said ok I will give you a number and you are to tell the senior person the number. I am told to call the number and get the money in minutes today. The other person will instruct me on how to get it. The number is GG11022. I called the person picked up "Hello you are calling for a grant, I told him the number and he proceed to allude me into thinking I was really getting a grant he told me to get the paper form and make sure it’s sender. All because He needs to pay for background check and wire it from a bank called Federal Reserve Bank of New York they can’t afford to pay to send money. The person I sent it to was a man in Florida when I asked why Florida he said oh because he is the treasurer The name is Rafael Palacios. I was told that I was on a recorded line with a government official and he was not allowed to drop the call if I should loose contact then call back. After I wired the money I then realized I had been scammed. My desperation took over and I thought I could change my life with an opportunity that I foolishly became apart of. I think about my son who suffers behind my low self esteem and my poor decision making. I Then called back because I just felt taken and the guy tells me to go [censored] myself. I was feeling even more alone. I had a friend that was talking to them asking them why do you need me to send 250.00 for a grant. I didn’t understand that she was going through that over the phone. She just never flat out said listen these people are calling my phone asking me for money I refuse don’t anybody do it. The scam artist and I was on the phone on the bus ride it took for me to get the money out and did the transaction in CVS. the transaction number ***. I know you may not be able to get my money back. I just wish more people were talking about it in the public. I feel really bad knowing the consequence but didn’t think it would end up like this. I thank you for reading this it makes me feel like I did more than my part. My friend after I told her called the number after set me straight and laid in on them telling them all they do is rip people off. All you could hear was profanity. I hope these people get caught some how.