An 85-year-old Pennsylvania man lost $30,000 to callers impersonating federal agents before state troopers prevented a planned purchase of more than $200,000 in gold. The scammers had instructed the victim to buy gold through a Maryland broker so a courier could collect it for "safekeeping." Authorities and the FTC warn real officials will never ask you to buy gold or hand precious metals to a courier; victims should end the call and verify agencies independently.
State Troopers Stop $200K Gold-Courier Scam After 85-Year-Old Loses $30K
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An 85-year-old Shoemakersville, Pennsylvania, man lost $30,000 to callers impersonating federal agents before state troopers intervened and prevented a planned purchase of more than $200,000 in gold intended for pickup by a courier.
How the Scam Worked
According to Pennsylvania State Police information summarized by Berks Weekly, the scheme began on July 1 and continued for more than three weeks. Callers claiming to represent multiple federal agencies instructed the victim to buy a large quantity of gold from a broker in Maryland. After the purchase, the victim was to call the fraudsters so they could arrange to take possession of the gold for "safekeeping."
Police Response
Troopers from the Hamburg Patrol Unit were dispatched to a Hall Road home in Perry Township at about 6:20 p.m. on July 23 to investigate an ongoing fraud. By the time officers arrived, the victim had already surrendered $30,000. The law enforcement intervention occurred before the gold purchase was completed, preserving more than $200,000 that otherwise might have been handed to the scheme's operators.
Key point: The promise of "safekeeping" is a common ploy that turns a scary-sounding warning into a direct attempt to seize assets by convincing victims to convert cash into precious metals and hand them off to couriers.
Official Warnings and Data
The Federal Trade Commission warns that legitimate government agents will not ask people to buy gold bars, move funds, hand cash to anyone, or deliver precious metals to a courier.
The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report said gold-courier scams generated about 725 complaints and $311.8 million in reported losses that year. In those cases, scammers impersonated officials and persuaded victims to buy gold or other precious metals that couriers later collected.
What To Do If You Get This Call
- Stop the call immediately. Do not go to a bank or broker or buy anything at the caller's direction.
- Contact local police, your bank, or the named agency using a phone number you independently verify — not a number the caller provides.
- Warn family members, bank staff, and precious-metal dealers if an older customer suddenly wants to withdraw a large sum, wire funds, or buy gold while staying on the phone with a stranger.
If You Already Sent Money Or Bought Gold
Preserve all possible evidence: call logs, voicemails, text messages, receipts, wire records, broker invoices, shipping documents, withdrawal slips, descriptions and serial numbers of gold, delivery instructions, and any names or agency titles the caller used. Report the incident to local police, the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
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