Mystery China seeds delivered to Cathedral City home

A mystery delivery is showing up in mailboxes around the country – and here at home.

Now, a Cathedral City man is searching for answers after he received several shipments of seeds he never ordered that appear to be from China.

"I open this thing up and I see these seeds, and I'm like, 'Well, what's this all about?' said Art Gregoire.

He received multiple unsolicited packages of the mystery seeds. Upon closer inspection, he realized the labels listed the packages' contents as jewelry items like a necklace and stud earring.

The seeds have been received by households in all 50 states – sparking nationwide concern. Agriculture departments are warning of possible scams, telling recipients not to plant them.

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture calls it a "brushing scam," in which people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales.

But Gregoire's concerns are bigger than that. "I'd be more worried if that was biological or if those things were planted, they would grow into something that could be poisonous," he said.

And as the packages pop up nationwide, they're causing concern that something sinister could be happening.

"This is not a small operation – and that's what scares me," Gregoire said. "Somebody needs to be analyzing these seeds and deem them whether they're safe, and how to handle them properly so that no one gets sick, no one gets hurt."

Gregoire and News Channel 3 have reached out to the California Dept. of Agriculture – we haven't heard back yet. But on their website, they advise people not to plant the seeds or dispose of them.

Instead, they say recipients should safely hold onto them until further instructions are provided.

You can reach Jake on Twitter, Facebook or email him at jake.ingrassia@kesq.com.