A retired surgeon in Naples, Florida, lost more than $700,000 in a money transfer scam that involved converting his savings into gold and handing it to a courier. Dr. Eliot Sherr said the scam began with what appeared to be an Apple fraud alert. After calling the number provided, he said scammers posed as bank representatives and convinced him to convert his money into gold to protect it from fraudsters. He said he followed their instructions and handed the gold to a courier who came to his door. “They endear themselves to you and make you want to do what they ask you to do, which I did, which is a big mistake,” Sherr said. Sherr also said the scammers asked him to transfer Bitcoin, but he was unable to figure out how to complete the transaction. Consumer experts warn that any request to transfer money or convert it into gold or cryptocurrency for safekeeping is always a scam. Bankers, law enforcement, and financial advisors will never make such requests. Authorities encourage people to share information about these scams with friends, family, and neighbors to help prevent others from falling victim.
A retired surgeon in Naples, Florida, lost more than $700,000 in a money transfer scam that involved converting his savings into gold and handing it to a courier.
Dr. Eliot Sherr said the scam began with what appeared to be an Apple fraud alert. After calling the number provided, he said scammers posed as bank representatives and convinced him to convert his money into gold to protect it from fraudsters.
He said he followed their instructions and handed the gold to a courier who came to his door.
“They endear themselves to you and make you want to do what they ask you to do, which I did, which is a big mistake,” Sherr said.
Sherr also said the scammers asked him to transfer Bitcoin, but he was unable to figure out how to complete the transaction.
Consumer experts warn that any request to transfer money or convert it into gold or cryptocurrency for safekeeping is always a scam. Bankers, law enforcement, and financial advisors will never make such requests.
Authorities encourage people to share information about these scams with friends, family, and neighbors to help prevent others from falling victim.