I'm trying to find out if the grant offer I received from De Monaco Heritage Fund is legitimate or a scam?
465616
DEFINITELY A SCAM.\n\nIt is hard to find grants to start a business or for personal purposes. Government is simply not handing out money to anyone because it feels like it. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business or for personal purposes. I hope that you did not give your bank details.\n\nAlso, government grant information is FREE. You can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.\n\nMost of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nFor private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.
341878
Sounds like a scam to me. Ask to see his visa's expiry date.
874235
Well the answer to your question is going to be two fold, first yes there is a Senegal Faisal Islamic Bank of Senegal, Dakar.  It's rather easy to find on line, but there are no links or phone numbers, just broken links, which isn't a good sign.\n\nSecond, the obvious question is, if this is about an e-mail you received from some stranger telling you a story about lots of money that could be yours, it is completely untrue.  Also the name Aisha Mohammad appears to be a reference to one of Muhammeds wives more then a real name.  If there is a way for money to be made in Senegal, believe me they will make it and they won't bother to send you an e-mail about it.
816669
Hi,\n\nGreat post!  I had the same grant question a few months ago. It's really tricky to find out about this stuff on the net, but my wife bought me special special software (CD) for my birthday.  The program rocks for finding the grant info you want.  btw...this is  the software that was featured on CNBC and in USA  Today.\n\nThis company is giving away the software free (only $3.95 for shipping)!!!!!!!\nHere's the link\nhttp://www.alllsite.info/free-grant-money.php\n\nI'm sure you'll find the info there\nGood luck
247519
Most likely a scam. First, IRS does not call anyone to say they qualify for anything. Second, IRS is not involved in grant giving process. Third, even if you qualify for a grant, you need to apply first and pass through the rigorous process of grant application.\n\nI suggest you do not entertain this caller and do not ever ever give any of your personal information.
949428
I received a letter from this group stating that I won an award, I threw it in the trash and started investigating. It is a fraudulent organization. Also, be aware that a letter is being circulated in which a person posing as an artist is looking for someone to open an account in their country in order to accept money orders and send the cash to them in the Netherlands. Don't fall for this ploy. A lady accepted a large sum of money in the form of Money Orders from a person who wanted to move to the U. S. The person, a few days later, wanted her to send two thousand dollars to him, stating that it was an emergency, \nshe sent the money only to find out that the money orders had been stolen and she was out two thousand dollars and had a visit from the authorities. Let's use our smarts in these situations.
883511
it's a scam DO NOT SEND THE ITEM. report everything to ebay you will not get the money if you send the item! In future be wary of any buyer who wants you to ship to africa and don't circumvent the checking out service
1140321
As already said, seek the advice of the charities commission. If it's a small scale one off appeal then it's fairly straightforward. Inform the local media and keep the whole thing as visible and transparent as possible in order to get the best response and prevent fraud.\n\nOn a larger scale or longer term the charities commission can advise you about accounts, trustees, transparency etc. \n\nAbove all, keep it clean and honest.
574738
I am sorry you are victimized through lucrative offer. How do you believe such a fraud offer.  Anyway don't give your\n Bank or  credit card details otherwise you will incur heavy financial losses.If you have already given any such details, please ask your bank not to effect any payments to any party without your prior consent before it's too late.Please don't get trapped again by such fake offers in future.I hope you are not looser in this game.
70489
If it looks too good to be true, it is.\n\nBeware pyramid and matrix schemes (I've seen the slimy tentacles of their recruiters beginning to infect this site). Beware schemes that don't tell you up front what you're doing, charge money to join, or for a "decision pack", where the product comes second to gaining new recruits.\n\nBasically, anything that looks like money for nothing may well be, but you're going to be the one giving out the money and ending up with nothing.
659839
http://www.thenationaldeanslist.com/1whoweare/history.aspx\n\nThe National Dean's List will consider applications made on your behalf.  There is no cost to you.  If the letter you received asks for money it is not legitimate.\n\nAfter seeing your addtional note:  Congratulations
197045
This is one of the biggest scams around.  You receive a letter that you one a lottery (you start thinking, did I enter one, odds are no) or you receive a letter from someone in a foreign country asking for your help.  Each promises you millions (from the lottery or if you help this foreigner) and all you have to do is provide your checking or savings account number.  Money will be wired into your account and you are an instant millionaire.......NOT!!!  They've just sucked your account dry of all the money you had.  \n\nDon't every reply to these scams unless you want to lose it all!
992013
No! Even if such a site existed they probably would be scamming you. If it sounds to good to be true then it is. Sorry if you got your hopes up.
434836
No, they are not scams in any way.  I have instituted hundreds of these for my first time home buyers and you don't have to pay them back.  \n\nIf you would like more detailed information on them, please contact me at timothy.kazee@americanhm .com and we can talk.  These are great options for someone in your shoes.\n\nTalk to you soon!!!!
149457
No way.  These are a scam.  The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has some pretty bad things to say about "gifting clubs" (see link below) and I have a friend who was taken for $10,000 - she was told she could make her money back ten times over, but she ended up with nothing.  It's a big (illegal) pyramid scheme.
291047
I looked it over.  It sounds might suspicious to me.  It seems to be offering free services to people who win the Green Card Lottery run by the State Department.  Therefore, the thing to do would be to contact the State Department and ask them whether this site is legal, and is known to be honest.\n\nEspecially on the Internet, whenever a thing sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't.  Or rather, it has some hidden aspects.  For example, these people may indeed offer some assistance to incoming immigrants; but what do they want in exchange?  What is their reason for offering?  Whose interests do they serve?  You need to answer these questions before you trust your private information to them, let alone get on an airplane they have sponsored.  Could you even trust it was going to the destination they told you?\n\nGood luck!
1141373
It sounds like a huge scam... Does this letter look familiar?\n\nCONGRATULATIONS: YOU HAVE WON AUSTRALIA LOTTERY PRIZE !!!\n\nAUSTRALIA LOTTO LOTTERY INC.\nDate:21/02/2006\nRef: 200658961725 \nBatch: ALLINC 0064943902/188 \nWinning no: FGAGN2701/LPRC \nCONGRATULATIONS ....................\n\nDear Sir/Madam, \n\nWe are delighted to inform you of your prize release on the  \n 20th of  FEBUARY 2006 from the Australian International Lottery programme.\n\nWhich is fully based on an electronic selection of winners using their \ne-mail addresses \nYour name was attached to ticket number; \n0061725 07056490902 serial number 6641145002 \nThis batch draws the lucky numbers as follows 4-13-22-38-46 bonus number \n17,which consequently won the lottery in the second category. \nYou hereby have been approved a lump sum pay of US$1,000,000.00\n(DOLLARS) \nin cash credit file ref: ILP/HW 47509/02 from the total cash prize of \nUS$5,000,000.00 shared amongst five lucky winners in this category "B".\nAll participant were selected through a computer balloting system drawn \nfrom Nine hundred thousand E-mail addresses from Canada, Australia, United \nStates, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Oceania as part of our \ninternational \npromotions program which is conducted annually. \nThis Lottery was promoted and sponsored by a conglomeration of some \nmultinational companies as part of their social responsibility to the \ncitizens in the communities where they have operational base. \nWe hope with part of your prize, you will participate in our end of year \nhigh stakes for US$1.3 Billion international draw. \nHOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE \nSimply contact our fiducial agent, Dr Mr David Akume at \ninfolotteryaus@yahoo.com.au to file for your claim . \nPlease quote your reference, batch and winning \nnumber which can be found on the top left corner of this notification as well \nas your \nfull name, address and telephone number to help locate your file easily. \nFor security reasons, we advice all winners to keep this information \nconfidential from the public until your claim is processed and your \nprize released to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid \ndouble claiming and unwarranted taking advantage of this programme by \nnon-participant or unofficial personnel. \nNote, all winnings MUST be claimed by the  2nd of  MARCH - 2006\notherwise all funds will be returned as Unclaimed and eventually donated to \ncharity \nCongratulations once again on your winnings!!! \n\nBest Regards \n\nSandra Dean(co-ordinator) \nPLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.CONTACT YOUR CLAIMS \nAGENT:infolotteryaus@yahoo.com.au\nBREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY ON THE PART OF THE WINNERS WILL RESULT \nTO \nDISQUALIFICATION. \n \nTHANKS:\nMANAGEMENT.\n\n\n\nIt's a scam letter, originating in Nigeria: check out the website \nhttp://www.quatloos.com/Posted_Letter.php?ID=13136\n\n\nHope that helps!