Beware Gold Scam

From Platte Valley Media

(Lincoln, Neb) – A Lincoln couple fell victim to a fraudulent scheme, losing more than $100,000, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office. The couple received a malware alert on their computer on March 29 and contacted a provided number, where they were falsely informed they were being defrauded of $5,000.

They were also falsely accused of possessing child pornography by the caller, who claimed to be associated with the FBI. Over several days, the couple received additional calls that made them believe their bank accounts were compromised.

On April 1, they were persuaded to withdraw $115,000 to purchase gold bars from a local business. They were instructed to package the gold in a cardboard box for collection by a man who would transport it to a safe bank account in Washington D.C. A man in a silver Ford Explorer then arrived at their residence to collect the gold.

Chief Deputy Ben Houchin remarked that it was highly unusual for someone to personally collect the gold bars at the couple’s home. An investigation is underway, but Houchin expressed doubts about recovering the gold bars, suggesting they may have already been taken out of the country.