Scammers are seemingly everywhere these days, and Richmond Hill Church of Christ Minister Riley Nelson said he’s had four calls recently from people with the same scam – an offer of a $9000 grant, he said.

“I was to use the money to fix up my house or buy a car,” he said. “Supposedly, I was chosen by the United States Treasury Grant Department because I have never declared bankruptcy and I always pay my bills on time.”

Nelson said he played along with callers to find out more information.

“They gave me a number to collect the money. I could get it in cash by Western Union, a debit card or sent directly to my bank account,” he said.

But when Nelson asked for a different number to verify who they were, the callers hung up, he said. So, the last time they called he listened until the caller was done.

“When they finished I asked them to tell me my name,” he said. “I was asked why. I told them that since they called me they should at least know who I am. They hung up.”

Nelson didn’t stop there. He called the U.S. Treasury Department and was told there was no grant department, and a Treasury representative took the number Nelson had been given to call to “collect” his grant.

He’s also called police.