MILLEDGEVILLE — A new grant scam has made its way to Baldwin County, attempting to empty the wallets of young college students with the promise of an educational grant.
“We’ve been getting reports that a professional sounding man has been calling college students claiming that they have been chosen for a grant from the Federal Reserve because of their academic achievements,” said Capt. Brad King of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
According to King, reports of the scam have increased in the past week.
“We’re hoping to make people aware of it so there won’t be more victims of the crime,” King said.
The ongoing scam involves fraudulent federal officials claiming to be part of an educational grant program. Through unsolicited phone calls, the person informs the target that he or she has been chosen to receive a fictitious $9,000 federal grant. The fraudulent representative then tells the college student that in order to receive the money, they must make a charitable donation of $200.
“One of the victims told us that the man said the charitable donation was so future college students would be able to receive the grant as well.” King said. After the victim wires these funds via Western Union or Moneygram, they are asked for another large sum of money.
“They are told that since they have been chosen to receive the largest amount of the grant, they must pay a deposit of $620,” said King.
After the second wire transfer is received, the target gets one more phone call regarding the grant’s estimated arrival. A week passes and no money is received.
Sheriff’s office officials encourage anyone who receives a suspicious phone call about free money to contact law enforcement so a report can be filed.
“The first clue that it’s a scam is that grants are not going to fall in your lap,” said King. “In order to receive a grant you have to apply for it.”
Click here to subscribe to The Union-Recorder print edition. http://tinyurl.com/6qdm4oj
Click here to subscribe to The Union-Recorder e-edition and view this full article. http://unionrecorder.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
