Lexington, SC 02/25/2025 - The FBI is warning Lexington County residents and others across the nation about an ongoing fraud scheme. Criminal actors are impersonating cybersecurity representatives, bank officials, and U.S. government officers to deceive and defraud their victims, who are often elderly. Scammers falsely claim the victims’ financial accounts have been hacked and are at risk of loss. To protect their funds, scammers tell victims to convert their assets into physical gold and give the gold to a courier. During 2024, 11 South Carolina elderly victims lost an estimated $4.2 million.
How it Works
Victims receive a pop-up warning on their electronic device or an unsolicited email claiming their electronic device has been hacked and their financial accounts have been compromised. Scammers direct victims to contact a bank, cybersecurity, or law enforcement representative at a number they provide. The victim may also be advised that their personal information or financial accounts have been linked to illegal activities. Once in contact with the scammers, the victim may be passed to several “officials” reinforcing the sense of urgency for the victim to move assets from their financial accounts to purchase physical gold. In some cases, the victim is directed to download and install a commercially available remote desktop application that provides the scammers access and control of the victim’s electronic device.
Once the victim has purchased physical gold, they are instructed to pass it to a courier. The courier will often designate a meeting location, but may come to the victim’s residence to receive the gold. Couriers tell the victim they are taking the gold to a secure location or “lock box.” Scammers will continue this process until the victim no longer has the financial means to purchase more gold or their scheme is discovered by the victim. Once this occurs, the scammers will cease contact with the victim and their assets will be gone.
Tips to Protect Yourself
Stay alert and verify the identity of anyone making such claims or requests.
Do not use a phone number that has been provided to you from an alert message or email. Always contact your bank or authorities directly.
Be cautious of authorizing access and control of your electronic devices.
Report it
The FBI requests victims immediately report fraudulent or suspicious activity to the FBI IC3 at www.ic3.gov. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
The name of the person or company that contacted you.
Methods of communication used, including websites, emails, and telephone numbers.
Any bank account number(s) to which you wired funds and the recipient’s name(s).
The name and location of the metal dealer company and the account to which you wired funds, if you were instructed to buy precious metals.
Victims aged 60 or over who need assistance with filing an IC3 complaint, can contact the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline, 1-833-FRAUD-11 (or 833-372-8311).
