Gold grifters

Using Couriers to Pick Up Gold Bars from Victims

Fraud schemes are constantly evolving, and scammers are now targeting victims with a sophisticated gold collection scam, tricking them into handing over gold bars, coins, and jewelry to fake couriers. This emerging fraud—dubbed the “Gold Grifters” scam—preys on fear, urgency, and trust, leaving victims devastated as their hard-earned assets vanish into the hands of criminals.

How the ‘Gold Grifters’ Scam Works

The Setup: A Call from “Authorities”

• Scammers impersonate law enforcement, a bank, or government officials (such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or even Interpol).
• They falsely claim that the victim’s bank account has been compromised or that their money is at risk due to fraudulent activity.
• The caller pressures the victim, saying their cash is unsafe in the bank and that the best way to protect their wealth is to convert it to gold bars or coins for “verification and safekeeping.”

The Urgency & Isolation Tactic

• Victims are told not to contact anyone (not family, not bank employees) because their accounts are "under investigation."
• Scammers insist that immediate action is necessary to avoid losing all their money.
• Some victims are even coached on what to say if questioned at a bank or gold dealer.

The Gold Purchase & Fake Courier Pickup

• Once the victim withdraws funds and purchases gold, the fraudster arranges for a “secure courier” to pick it up.
• The scammer claims the courier is an official FBI agent, bank representative, or financial investigator, and they may even provide fake IDs or credentials.
• The victim hands over their gold, believing it will be “verified” or “protected.”
• The courier disappears, and so does the victim’s gold.

Why This Scam Is on the Rise

• Gold is harder to track than cash, making it ideal for fraudsters who want to avoid bank oversight.
• Elderly and high-net-worth individuals are prime targets, as they may have significant assets in gold.
• Advances in deepfake and spoofing technology allow scammers to impersonate real organizations with frightening accuracy.
• Victims often don’t realize they’ve been scammed until it’s too late, as gold transactions are often irreversible.

Real-Life Cases

• A 75-year-old woman in California lost $250,000 in gold bars after being tricked by scammers posing as federal agents.
• A retired professional in New York withdrew his life savings in gold coins, believing he was protecting his assets, only to be scammed by a fake courier.
• In London, fraudsters have stolen millions in gold using similar impersonation tactics, prompting police warnings.

How to Protect Yourself from Gold Courier Scams

Verify Calls from “Authorities”

• No real government agency or bank will ever ask you to withdraw money or buy gold for security purposes.
• If you receive such a call, hang up and contact the organization directly using a verified phone number (not the one provided by the caller).

Be Skeptical of “Urgent” Requests

• Scammers pressure victims into acting fast—real authorities never do this.
• Take time to verify any financial threats with your bank or a trusted advisor.

Never Hand Over Gold or Cash to a Courier

• Banks, law enforcement, and government agencies never send couriers to collect money, gold, or valuables.
• If someone claims to be a courier from a financial institution, it’s a scam.

Educate Elderly Family Members

• Seniors are often targeted, so talk to older relatives about this scam.
• Encourage them to call you before making large financial decisions.

Report Suspicious Activity

• If you receive a scam call, report it immediately to your local authorities and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
• If you’ve been scammed, contact law enforcement as soon as possible—some victims recover stolen assets if they act quickly.

Final Thoughts

The Gold Grifters scam is a highly manipulative fraud that exploits trust and fear, leaving victims without their most valuable assets. Awareness and education are the strongest defenses against these criminals. If you or someone you know receives a suspicious call about gold or money being “at risk,” pause, verify, and report it immediately.

Remember: If someone is pressuring you to buy gold and hand it over for "security"—it’s a scam!