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Pennsylvania State Police have traced part of a gold haul seized on Interstate 80 to a 74-year-old Rixford woman who investigators say lost about $259,000 to scammers posing as federal agents, FOX56 reports.
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Shop NowAccording to police, the scheme began in July with a pop-up message on her home computer.
Over the following months, she was allegedly told her identity and bank accounts had been compromised and was instructed to withdraw her life savings and buy gold.
On Sept. 10, she handed about 43 ounces of gold, valued near $200,000, to two people who arrived at a Rixford bakery in a Honda. She had already given the operation $59,000 in cash.
Troopers stopped a silver Honda Accord with California registration on I-80 later that day and took two occupants into custody.
The News-Item, citing a police affidavit, reported that both men are from Elk Grove, California, and face felony counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and receiving stolen property.
Police say the callers posed as ICE, DHS, or other federal officers and told victims a criminal case was tied to their Social Security numbers. Investigators believe other victims may be connected, including people in the Port Royal and Myerstown areas.
Click here to read the full story on FOX56
