Berkeley Police: Don't Fall For This 'Federal Grant' Scam

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - A Holiday City woman is out $1,000 after she responded to a bogus caller who said she was eligible for a $50,000 federal grant if she sent him the money, Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said.

Patrolman Taylor Butler responded to an Eton Rd. residence at 5:01 p.m. on Oct. 17 on a fraud report. The victim told police she had responded to an e-mail about federal grant opportunities. When she answered the e-mail, she was put in touch with a person known as "Agent Bruce Smith," the chief said.

She began exchanging text messages with "Agent Bruce Smith." He told her to send him $1,000 and she would receive a $50,000 grant. She sent the money and was told shortly after that she did not quality for the grant and that her money was not refundable, DiMichele said.

Smith used the phone number 832-608-7256.

"Anyone receiving these emails should not disclose personally identifying information, should not send money or other forms of payment, and should not follow any other instructions pertaining to transferring personal finances," the chief said.

Photo: Patch file photo