WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida woman lost more than $280,000 to a gold bar scheme, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
The woman told deputies that she was contacted by someone claiming her Social Security number had been compromised and transferred her to another person posing as a federal officer.
"This person instructed the victim to protect their assets by moving $10,600 to the 'Treasury Department' and purchasing gold. The scammer directed the victim to a coin and bullion store, where they bought over $280,000 of gold," the sheriff's office posted on Facebook.
Investigators said the crooks had the woman repackage the gold and deliver it to a designated vehicle using a password provided for a supposed "undercover officer."
When the victim tried to follow up with the supposed officer, she discovered the phone number had been disconnected. The victim said the crooks falsely claimed the gold would be placed in a U.S. Treasury vault for safekeeping.
"WE CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH: No legitimate government or law enforcement agency will EVER ask you to make payments or transfer valuables using gift cards, cryptocurrency, bullion, bitcoin, or through undercover operations," the sheriff's office said.
Deputies said if you receive a suspicious call, text, or email, hang up, ignore, or delete it. Do not give out your personal or financial information. You should also report the incident to local law enforcement officers.
"Please help our agency spread the word by talking to our most vulnerable populations. Tell your friends. Tell your neighbors. Tell someone you meet in the grocery line. The more we band together the more we can stop these fraudsters from scamming people out of their hard earned money," Walton County deputies said.
