Columbus Police Warn of Scam Making the Rounds

[PRESS RELEASE]

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Columbus Police Department received information regarding a possible scam.  A concerned citizen advised her husband recently got a phone call from a gentleman identified as Mr. Allan Diaz.  Mr. Diaz told the man that he qualified for a grant in the amount of $7,800.00.  Mr. Diaz gave instructions for the gentleman to go to a nearby Walmart, and to call him at 786-393-6116, ext. 119, once he arrived.

Mr. Diaz further stated all the recipient would have to do is wire $199.00 cash to a reference number of LA1429, and he would receive $7,800.00 cash as promised.  Mr. Diaz went on to tell the gentleman not to share the phone number with anyone else, and it was only for him.  The recipient caught on and asked, “If I’m supposed to receive $7,800.00, why can’t you just subtract the $199.00?  At this point, Mr. Diaz’s attempt to solicit money had been thwarted. So if anyone gets a phone call like this regarding a cash grant, do not get involved.  It is definitely a scam!