El Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos está pidiendo a quienes obtienen misteriosos paquetes de semillas no solicitados por correo que los envíen a su Departamento de Agricultura del Estado.
The USDA is trying to understand why certain individuals were targeted in the scam and determine whether the seeds present a threat to U.S. agriculture or the environment.
In a press release, the Delaware Department of Agriculture said citizens from all 50 states, Canada, Australia and the European Union have reported similar unwanted shipments. The agency says do not plant the seeds as they may be an invasive species.
So far, Delaware has processed more than 40 packages of seeds to be tested by the USDA. Of the seeds that have been identified so far, the USDA has found a mix of ornamental, fruit, vegetable, herb and weed seeds.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Mysterious seed packets from China have been showing up nationwide. Now they’re in Delaware
Officials believe the shipments are «part of a brushing scam where shippers send out low-cost items at their own expense in order to rank higher on e-commerce sites.»
«Brushing helps the seller create a more legitimate appearance to their profiles,» the department said.
The packages, which appear to be from China, are sent by mail and have Chinese writing on them. Some have contained jewelry or another inexpensive item, in addition to the seed packet.
Here is what to do if you receive a seed packet, according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Contact Brandon Holveck at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter @holveck_brandon.