Parkersburg, WV (AP) -- A bizarre hoax has fooled residents across West Virginia who thought they were helping raise money for cancer patients.

Churches, restaurants and businesses from Wheeling to Bluefield have been collecting plastic bottle caps, fueled by flyers that claim the caps can be redeemed for money to pay for cancer treatment.

The caps, though, are worthless. Even recycling centers are rejecting them.

Aleta Brace of Parkersburg collected more than 20,000 bottle caps before learning about the hoax. She's upset, but said the response shows how West Virginians are eager to help people suffering from cancer.

Amy Berner of the West Virginia Chapter of the American Cancer Society says the group is trying to discover how the hoax started.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights Reserved.)