Description

The" friend" Bill Gordon contacted my mother by Meta Messenger saying the USAID Grant Funds and Tax Refunds Helping Program was a legal program that he received grant money that you do not have to pay back. The "friend" continue over serval days to encourage my mother that the program was legal and grant money you did not have to pay back. The" friend" sent the contact link to James Austin and the Grant Program and encouraged my Mom to apply to the program." Friend" also encouraged her to act soon because there was limited grant money to be given to persons ." Friend" told her they have been friends for many years and he would not lie or deceive her, the program was legal and with the high cost of living now she could make living easier for herself. After about a week of encouragement from the "friend" she accepted information from James Austin USAID Grant Funds and Tax Refunds Helping Program. James Austin started asking personal questions over the Meta Messenger. Like her age 88, birthdate, had her send a picture of her drivers license. Questions about personal finance, home ownership. If Mom questioned the application the "friend" assured her this was the same questions he had answered. Then she was told to purchase gift cards to use for the processing fees. Once again the "friend" would assure her this is the same process he followed for his $30,000.00 grant funds. Mom purchased two $500. American Express Gift Cards. Mom was then told to take pictures of the front and back of the cards. At this point when I (daughter) ) went to her house in the evening to check on her , she relayed to me what she was doing at that time James Austin USAID Grant funds told her she needed to send an additional $4,500 in gift cards to complete the process and receive her grant money. they sent a picture of her house to ask if this was her home and where FedEx would deliver her grant money the next day after she completed sending the gift cards. Once again her "friend" told her this was the same process he followed. I told my mom stop, do not send any more gift cards. I then called the American Express card Center Both cards had been spent in New York that evening One card $500. card was spent At Coach Leather goods. and the other $500. was spent at Ralph Lauren Store. I filed Scam reports on both cards. I told my mom DO NOT acknowledge any texts or calls from these persons James Austin and "friend" Bill Gordon. they continue to send text telling her to get the remaining $4,500. gift cards so she could receive her grant money. that day she had 37 text and phone calls. she didn't respond. I blocked the 2 people . Mom is concerned about the scammers having her address copy of her drivers license. She lives alone.