KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — An East Tennessee woman was hoping to remodel her home with money received from a grant. But it didn’t happen, as the grant was a hoax.
Grant scams continue to catch people because they prey on people’s hopes for “free money” from the government. Jacqueline Rogers, a long-time school custodian, was unaware of the hoax. It was initiated through a fake Facebook account that looked like it belonged to a relative.
Rogers wanted to remodel the kitchen in her home where she’s lived for 46 years. She also needs a door installed in her laundry area. She received a friend request believing it was her brother-in-law, Terrance Schofield, but it wasn’t him.
“He told me, asked me if had I heard about this agent, James Brown, that you could get grant money from,” said Rogers.
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She contacted Brown. He immediately told her about the grant and requested personal information.
“And he said, ‘Congratulations, you have been approved for a $170,000’,” said Rogers.