PENNSYLVANIA (WBNG) — Pennsylvania State Police are warning the public about an organized nationwide fraud scheme where scammers pose as federal law enforcement officers to steal millions of dollars.
The scheme typically starts with a deceptive pop-up on a victim’s computer screen, followed by contact from individuals pretending to be federal agents.
Scammers convince targets that their identities and bank accounts are tied to criminal investigations, telling them to withdraw funds, buy gold bars or coins and hand the physical gold over to a courier for protection.
Investigators report that the operation has already stolen roughly $6.5 million from victims nationwide, with confirmed incidents spanning from Maryland to Washington state.
Authorities suspect many additional victims have yet to come forward, according to the PSP.
State police arrested two individuals on Sept. 10 after stopping a suspected courier vehicle, a silver 2025 Honda Accord with a California license plate, along Interstate 80 in Union County.
Investigators urge anyone who was directed to buy gold or hand assets over to a courier during August or September to reach out to authorities.
Potential victims can contact Trooper Eric Dreisbach at 570-560-0625 and reference incident PA 2026-1166513.
Police stress that legitimate law enforcement personnel will never direct individuals to buy gold or surrender cash and precious metals to couriers.
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