The Columbus Police Department is advising residents to beware of a potential scam after a report from a concerned citizen.
A citizen reported to CPD that her husband received a call about being awarded a $7,800 grant from someone identifying himself as Allen Diaz. Diaz told the citizen to go to a nearby Walmart and call him at 786-393-6116, ext. 119, according to Raymond Hackler, a public information officer with CPD.
Diaz told the recipient to wire $199 to a reference number in order to receive the $7,800 grant, according to Hackler. The man became suspicious at that point and did not wire any money.
“If anyone gets a phone call like this regarding a cash grant, do not get involved,” Hackler said. “It is definitely a scam.”
A Dispatch reporter on Wednesday called the number that allegedly called the Columbus man. A man claiming to be Diaz said he was a U.S. government representative.
“You’re not the only one getting $7,800 from the U.S. government for no reason,” Diaz told the reporter. “We selected 1,500 people like senior citizens, single moms, retired people, unemployed people, people who are trying to support their families for their education and medication. You are one of them.”
The man could not identify which department of the government he worked for. Eventually, he hung up without answering any questions.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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