Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.
Facebook users are asked to delete or ignore messages that claim they are have won thousands or millions of dollars in the federal government program for community empowerment, and that their names were seen on the winner list. Some of the messages claim that the government and Mark Zuckerberg are sending checks to disabled people and the recipients' names are on the list. But, the messages are fakes that are being sent by cybercriminals. Therefore, recipients of those messages are asked not to respond to them with their personal information, or follow the instructions in them, even if the messages appear as if they were sent by a friend or family member. Scammers have cloned or hijacked some Facebook users' accounts, and are sending fake messages to their friends, in an attempt to trick them into sending their personal information and money.
Here are some complaints that we have received:
"someone has repeatedly presented themselves as someone I know, using her name and picture. Claiming that Facebook is awarding 150,000.00 for my use to support community services. My friend and I want this to stop. I was given contact info to win my money. we both know this is a scam and have not responded, but want a block set up. we would like to see the police track them down and arreet them, but they are probably out of this country. What can be done to block these contacts?""Beware of the federal government empowerment money program facebook page! It is an identity theft scam! If you have had any contact with this site, please stop now! They are stealing your identity! They will lure you in by stealing one of you follower's messaging and sending you a message. They will ask for your personal and financial data on a form they send you by messaging on fb. I looked them up while i was online with them because their offer was too good to be true. I checked two scam sites and they were on both of them. I messaged their fb page that they were a scam. I also messaged the friend whose messaging they stole that they were identity thieves. They immediately shut down the fb page and any additional messages i made to my friend! Beware! If you have given them your info, you need to take precautionary measures so that they don't steal your identity...fast!""I received a facebook message from an old high school friend telling me she «won» $150,000.00 in a federal government program for community empowerment, and that she saw my name on a «winners list» that the man who brought her her check had. She wants me to contact Mark Samson Lekky on his facebook page. There is VERY little information on his page, and I have blocked him from mine as I am afraid this is a total scam."
Facebook users, should not send their personal information to anyone on Facebook who claims they are winners of lotteries, online promotions, government program awards, or some other organizational awards. And, they should not send their hard-earned money or financial information either.
Check the comment section below for answers or additional information. Share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below.
Online Threat Alerts (OTA) is not affiliated with or endorsed by any trademark owner mentioned in this article. Some of the information in samples in this article may have been impersonated or spoofed.
157
I was being scammed and did not know I gave them my birthdsy.I think nowvthey cam do idenity theft from the info I gave them..what do I do mow?
I am being scammed.
I believe I am now being scammed.
I RECIEVED SOMETHING FROM A PERSON THAT IS CLAIMING TO BE A FRIEND. HE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND THERE WERE SOME RED FLAGS SO I ASKED FOR PROOF IT WAS HIM - THEY ARE STUMBLING BUT I DELETED THE CONVERSATION AND NOW HES STATING HE WAS A POLICE OFFICER LIKE THE FRIEND HE IS PRETENDING TO BE. HE MENTIONED THIS AND SO I'M SENDING THIS INFO TO YOU - I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FORWARD A MESSENGER CONVERSATION TO YOU THRU AN EMAIL MY NAME IS DONNA PEARSON HIS HE'S CLAMING TO BE IS WAYNE EDWARDS A CITY COP IN ERWIN TN
A few mins ago I got this message claiming I won some check or something, I did a search on a number that this “friend” gave and it came back to a number out of Washington and I came onto this site. Told this person I was talking to a hacked account and immediately block me.
Hi, in my Facebook Messenger, a few months ago I got a message supposedly from a friend I know yet he uncharacteristically did not answer basic questions.This week I received messenger info also from another friend who asked me to text a guy and said he got $100K. The guy texted me on my cell phone and identified himself as Agent Lewis Christopher who works for a large Federal program. He said the government was trying to help our world by improving core systems, jobs and a nice yet general answer.He texted me a basic form - name, age, annual income address, and general info. I asked him basic questions so I had a better context but he danced around them. Then he asked me how much I wanted and by check or cash, that Fed Ex would deliver it rushed.The amounts ranged from $50K on up to several hundred thousand dollars. The fee for $100K was $750 to supposedly cover Fed Ex and taxes. I asked to check with my friend on Facebook in Messenger before agreeing. The discussion did not sound like my friend so I asked him where we first met and what sport we played - no answer. So, I will cancel and wow, Facebook is not protecting users from these scams at all. They easily get into Messenger pretending to be a close friend yet easy to see how suspect that is. I can imagine lots falling for this. How can we better protect ourselves? I have three security systems, primarily Avast, then Malware and Windows Defender - though someone tried to scam me to pay $299 to renew a free WD upgrade. What a world.
Beware of people who ask you to send money and personal information. Once you are asked to send money, always do your research first.
happened to me today - thankfully they haven't got anything of detail
Its through Facebook, GRANT MONEY,THE WOMAN'S NAME IS JESSICA RACHEL JAMES. it's a scam, I'm into them for about 1,500.00 and they want more & more & more it's never ending. Is there someplace on the internet that persues these kind of things?
beware of an oginization usdpcfa its a scam
was the person's name Fred Gardiner, he's contacting me.
Was the person named Gabriel Douglas because he's trying to get me now
Someone is trying to scam me I think, using this program. If you get in touch with me I may be able to help. He and, she are using messenger under, my friend's name. They say if I send them money they will send a lot more money under the Empowerment program. Please get in touch with me. Kathy Pearce on Facebook I have a black woman Pic. with the flag behind her. There is someone else working with her they are using my friend's messenger. I think I have all the messages.
I have had an exhausting experience with this program and an agent known as Attorney Scott Davis. I was referred by a friend and yes with her picture. I googled he is a divorce attorney. My friend had paid a fee of $2k and did receive a check for $150k. I was careful to protect my id. I have tried to cancel my application which they said they would do but needed to send a verification code they would provide.Well, that didn't work. Even Western Union called me and warned me. Much appreciated. All this attorney has is my credit card which is not connected to any of my banking. I am still in the midst of this nightmare.
I have a gentleman AlanI Smith who wants to give me $150,000 grant but I have to buy google play gift card or steam card then, Mr. Smith will activate the grant. Could you please respond to me. My name is Catherine
It is a scam, do not buy the cards.
I have been contacted by agent barbara sharon from fed gov that i have won 150,000 dollars, i know its a scam, the number that keeps texting me is 520-355-7943.
I was contacted by Brian Smith who claimed he worked for the government endownment program. He pretended to be a friend of mine and had stolen her identity saying she had won lots of money and mine name was also on the lists as a winner. He used a messenger account to get to me. After checking his name did not come up as an employee etc. Beware! This guy uses your friends to get to you.
At least once a month I am contacted. After the first time being very persistent,I realized it was fake. Once told them, I knew, they stopped. But then again I am contacted.
Can anyone tell me about a James a. His phone number is 850 601 0283 anf he told me that I won 50 grand, but I would have to pay 600 dollars for shipping it through the ecab compensation grants funds program.
At least once a month I am contacted. At first I thought it was rest until the person became persistant that I do this NOW. Told them to f*off. They stopped.
It is a scam.
Beware of Micheal David Fedraw....he's back his Facebook Lottery Scam. His phone number is 870-527-4315!
I received this morning a Messenger message from purportedly my friend saying that she got $150,000 grant from USDPCAB and all she had to do was text to 828-476-4970 and tell them that I am interested in apply for the grant. The English was atrocious therefore I knew it was not from my friend.They were very pushy asking for me to let them know when I sent the text and when I hadn't after 5 minutes they were back asking me what I was waiting for and that this grant is about to expire.I sent a message via iMessage to my friend letting her know that her Facebook account was possibly compromised.I have changed my password on my own Facebook account in hopes that they did not manage to get access to my contacts yet.
I had the same issue this afternoon. Except for me I stupidly fell for it when I should of known better cause this specific friend already has a facebook page and he sent me a friend request from another account.Then started talking about this money he got and sent me the number. I fell for it like an idiot and gave this person my info. However once he said I had to pay taxes and fees to receive this so called money that's when I realized. So thankfully I looked up this certain situation and found all these claims and stuff. So I let my friend and his friends know about it..
phone number used was 802-276-1890said name was Agent Sandra Jordenhxxp://m.me/Agent.sandra.jordan2435 sent textusing a pic of Hillary Clinton
Chat conversation with a scammer:Sat 1:14 PMHello how are you ?Sat 8:42 PMHI Diana, I'm doing good. I hope all is well with you and Mike. Lovely weather coming next week. (Hot).You can now call each other and see information like Active Status and when you've read messages.6:49 AMGlad to hear from you .....Life has been so good to me for the HHS blessings that came me and Mike way.....I hope you’re aware of the HHS program going on?10:00 AMChat Conversation End
I think someone stole my friends account on facebook and said i won a federal grant i did not but the amazon cards scam 101.Do not do this and do not buy amazon girt cards or wallet cards its a scam!
Now that I know I have done everything you tell participants not to do,what do I do now?How can I undo all of the damage I have done?
do not respond to these scammers
I WAS TAKEN IN BY EMPOWER AND W.H.O. $8500.00, I want my money back you scamming SOB.You can send my money back to Brendalee P....REGINA, SK, CanadaS4N 4T4If you refuse to send my money back I will go threw the Government for your shameless scamming.Regards, Brendalee.
Hi, they took a 1000.00 from me and said I was getting a prize, saw nothing...
Last Thursday evening about 6:30pm, there was a fb friend of mine unboxed me on messenger and said, "Hi did you heard anything lately? Then I replied NO, What it is it?"My friend told me of her winning of $100,000.00 from Federal Government Empowerment Program (fb active users compensation); my friend also said she got her winning money $100.000.00 delivered to her cash by two Europeans by a vx nissan latest 2010 made model, my friend also mentioned as she saw my name on the winning list, she continued to give me the name of a person that I contact to claim my winning money.I did contacted that person namely Amos Penington Grant, and without any delay that gentleman responded immediately, however up until now this guy is consistently asking me when am I going to pay the service fees so they will deliver my winning cash within 24 hours to me.Oh my gosh am just wondering, this is a great SCAM, I aslo blocked them on their fb page, and am searching through google network to find out the truth ang backgrounds of this organization.Please anyone from the fb page would surely respond to me of this organization or particularly this person Amos Penington Grant.
This morning I get a request from a fb friend on messenger. I thought, ok I accepted. Soon after they sent me a message saying how you doing so on and so forth.I gave a reply and then they said “can you confirm something for me”? Me: sure, what do you want to knowThem: have you heard of the affiliation program in conjunction with Facebook ?Me: Don’t know what that isThem: really, I thought you would have heard of them by now Me: now I have to google thatThem: I won $250,000.00 from them and when the agent and ups drive delivered the check to me, I saw your name on the listMe: Wow, never heard of itThem: I think you should contact the agent to find out how to collect it.By now I’m thinking SCAM! They gave me a person on fb to contact to get the process going.Me: Idk this sounds like a scamThe conversation goes on (in the meantime I make a report to Facebook) telling me it’s not a scam and that they wouldn’t lie to me, to trust them. They send a photo of a list with my name on it.Me: anyone can make a list, and the fb page you told me to go to is not legit. Besides “agents” don’t accompany ups drivers to make deliveries.Them: no you are wrongMe: tell me something about me, like how did we meet?That’s where our conversation ends. No longer active so I’m guessing fb shut them down.I also reported the fake fb account, blocked the scammers and sent a message to my real fb friend to let them know someone was using their profile to scam ppl.
I have a report about this stupid fake grant scammer agent James Smith and he told me to reclaim my free money reward giveaway and I just say "NO" to him.I told him that I won't never interested of free money reward giveaway and he just scam me for $700 for the shipping fees.I won't never send $700 to this stupid federal government grant scammer agent James Smith and he just scam me for $200 itunes card for the shipping fees.I won't never send $200 iTunes card to this stupid federal government grant scammer agent James Smith and he still a federal government grant scammer and my good family already know about this and they saying about federal government empowerment money program are fake grant scammers that are lying and cheating.My younger brother trying to contact the police officer soon or later or he will go to the police station soon or later and then he try to report to the police officer about this stupid fake federal government grant scammer agent James Smith and so please remove my full name and my zip code and my street/address on the FBI contact list okay.I won't never go to jail/prison anymore and please arrested stupid fake federal government grant scammer agent James Smith right now.
I'm 71 yrs old and disabled. me and my wife live on a fixed income. An old friend,so I thought,- has scammed us w/ help from the outfit that supposed to deliver the money- out of $2100.00 and they;re still trying to get more.I have e-mail addresses , names and various information. Can anyone help me get our money back ?
Contact the police for help.
This happened to me today I didn't realise it was a scam.I did give information ie email and mobile number but I became suspicious. I did not give any details of bank or card details.I rang my phone provider and they have put blocks in place and I have changed my Facebook password.
I got a message from a friend on Facebook saying that she had received $150,000 from USDPCAB and only needed to Western Union wire them $1,000. It was supposedly a government grant for retired, disabled, etc., people.They said You could get even more grant money by sending them more money. She said she got the money in cash and they took her picture with her holding the cash.I find it VERY suspicious and ended my contact with Terry Nelson the person she had given her information to. He told her that she could not tell anyone about her money until after she obtained it. She had to keep it a secret. I've had no luck obtaining anything on USDPCAB. VERY SUSPICIOUS!!
I got an iMessage from an old school friend and they said the same thing. I asked personal questions to my so called school friend and they couldn’t answer them. Caught!
Just sent some info to federal government empowerment program have not finalized my commitment; something doesn’t seem right but a friend got 100000 dollars?
I got a message that if I bought $425.00 in iTunes card I would get 100,000.00 in cash in 3 hour. Legit or not.
Not legit, it is a scam.
Received via email:"Hello,Please check to see if this Federal Government Empowerment Program is legit. POC given to me is Kathy Swart at 305-814-9349. They say they are supported by the US government and The World Bank. Thank you,Jo"
I have just been scammed
Just got off a conversation with Patti Massey; said she received FREE money from government empowerment program, she said it’s a problem to help needy and disabled. To contact an agent and pay processing fees. I told her I knew it was a scam and to delete me off her contacts.
The scammers are at it again on government impowered program. The number I called is 936 878 6366.
I was just sent a message frim someone about this, she claim an attonery was handling how the grants where handed out; while talking with the so called attorney, I was looking them up and as soon as I told them they where busted for trying to scam people they block me both on facebook and by text