The US government can't do much because the scammers are in India and beyond the reach of US law.  The Indian government is aware of the situation but doesn't do much.  Scamming and fakery are part of India's sub-culture.     The Indian authorities don't really care one way or the other.

No.  Green dots are untraceable; your money is gone. You've been scammed.   However you can protect yourself in the future:

Rules:  

1.  No reputable lender is going to loan you money over the phone or by e-mail.   On-line loans are also very suspect.  Don't apply for them; your personal information will not be safe.  If you have to borrow money, go to an established brick and mortar institution that has been   around for a while.

2.  Up front fees are almost always illegal.  If a so-called "lender" asks for them, you know it is a scam.

3.  If a person with an Indian accent calls you either offering you something or threatening you, you know it's most likely a scam.   Noting against Indians a or Pakistanis; that's just the way it is nowadays.

Report them:  See:  http://www.stopfraud.gov/report.html

Based on what I've read,  the scammers like to go after single women, single mothers, the elderly and the immigrant community. Anyone they think are vulnerable.  They are predators and generally pick their victims carefully. Beware, take care!   If you've been successfully scammed once, the word gets around and there might bery well be other attempts to scam you still further.  Do not pick up on phone numbers you do not recognize.

Your best bet is a call blocker.  Also, do not pick up on phone numbers you do not recognize.

See:  http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/fake-government-grants-real-refunds

There are only so many government agents who can look into these scams.  It doesn't help that these are foreign scammers, so it's even more difficult, if not downright impossible, to apprehend them.

As per the Federal Grants website at http://www.grants.gov

YOU WILL NOT BE CONTACTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO OFFER YOU A GRANT.
The government does not contact people to offer them money. If you do qualify for a government grant, the government does not request payment for it.

THERE ARE NO FEES ASSOCIATED WITH APPLYING FOR A GOVERNMENT GRANT.
Providing financial information to prove that you qualify for a government grant is typical, but you should never pay money to apply for a grant. People who run scams often claim to provide help and sometimes claim to be "federal government" officials, don't be fooled by these scams that request money from you.

ALL GOVERNMENT GRANTS INVOLVE AN APPLICATION PROCESS
If you have not submitted an application for a government grant and someone claims you have been awarded one, it's a scam. Grant money is not given over the phone for a fee. In order to qualify for a grant you must apply for the specific opportunity that you are qualified to apply for.

GOVERNMENT GRANTS ARE AWARDED FOR EXPLICIT OPPORTUNITIES
Government Grants are typically awarded to states, cities, educational institutions, nonprofits and other organizations to fund research and other projects.

GOVERNMENT GRANT APPLICATIONS AND INFORMATION IS FREE
Be cautious of offers that ask for your personal information (especially financial) when requesting a fee to access grant information. You can always access free information about government grants and other benefits at Grants.gov and Govbenefits.gov

If you get this call, please report it to:
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/general-support/grant-fraud.html

I received a call supposedly from US Federal Grant Health and Human Services in DC, that I was                
selected in random to received a grant about $9,000. A certain Ashley Hastings (202-174-7954)expounded the reason of the grant. She instructed me to call Kelly Smith's (202-470-662) for further instructions.  Kelly Smith's instructions: 1. Buy a reloadable green dot money PAC paper voucher from Dollar Tree.  2. Load $492 for Western Union charges. 3. Call her back so the grant money will be deposited to Western Union and is available within 30 to 45 minutes. 4. Go to Western Union, present the money PAC and claim the grant. She said this is a once in life time opportunity so I have to take advantage of it right away or I'll lose it. She even warned me not share this with anybody. That sealed my suspicion.

There were already so many feedbacks on this, why are these people not apprehended. What is the government doing about this?

these people are the same as the other people  they are saying theirs a grant of $9849 and they call you right after you get off the phone with the other people. but I asked them why am I getting this because nothing in life is free. this is a scam and they hung up in my face that how you know its a scam.

these people are liars and don't trust people that you have never seen before. everything that sounds too good believe me it has to be  a catch. The only thing they got from me is my address  and my name which they already had when they called for me to confirm but they asked me for my checking account  or a prepaid account. I said no and I told them I want  a check if you cant do that then I don't want it cuz you not getting information from me.

No, your money is gone.

I got a green dot money voucher and sent 998.00 and 448 is there any way I can get that money back please help..

Please, is there a way to stop this phony money scam.  They keep calling and calling, I have asked them to stop, but they wont.  They want to give me a grant of $9,879 from the GOVERNMENT!! I'm buying that ruse.  These are invading my privacy on a consistent basis.  

Same thing 9000 for free

In addition to Tamianth's advice,please keep an eye on your credit report as well. If anything shows up that you don't recognize, you can place an alert with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, which will require companies to verify that you are the person applying for any new credit lines taken out in your name. The protection is free of charge and lasts for 6 months. It can be extended if necessary.

Shawn, Contact  your LE and file fraud complaint, contact your bank or CC and get that changed/file fraud/dispute - they will give you new accounts.  Its a pain, but needs done.

Yes I screwed up...

Shawn, please report it to the links posted by Tamianth.

Did you give the caller any of your information ?

They tryed getting $250  from  me what can I do about it ????

Contact (best if you go in person to your local branch) your bank asap and file fraud dispute as well as contacting you LE and filing fraud complaints, you might need to cancel and get a new account.  This is a scam!

To report the fraud, go here:
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/general-support/grant-fraud.html
Their number is listed , along with an email address, at the top of the page.
Also here:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0113-government-grant-scams

I received a call from this numberand they were offering me 9000 thosands dollars and I gave them my checking account number and I don't no if they r some strangers please help