Boardman woman loses over $1.8 million in gold coin scam
A Boardman resident surrendered more than $1.8 million in precious metals to fraudsters, police say. The local case matches courier schemes that prompted warnings from law enforcement agencies nationwide. The victim filed her report on Thursday morning.
According to a police report, the scheme began on April 17. Her computer screen went black. She was using Facebook at the time. A screen message directed her to call Microsoft help with a phone number.
The victim called the listed telephone number. A female voice answered in English with an indiscernible accent. The caller told the woman her identity was stolen.
The caller transferred her to a purported Federal Trade Commission representative. The man instructed her to convert cash into gold coins to protect her money. She initially converted over $100,000 into gold coins.
The scammer told her to put the coins into a box. She met a purported officer at the Walmart in Boardman. The man gave her a code word during that exchange.
The courier said the money would enter the Treasury Department in her name. She spoke to the scammers on a daily basis. The victim made multiple exchanges totaling more than $1.8 million.
A detective from Moline, Illinois, later contacted the victim. Her name appeared inside the book of an arrested person. The detective told her to report the scam to local police.
A spokesperson with the Moline Police Dept. said on Friday that officers recovered no gold. The FBI, New York attorney general and local police departments are warning the public.
FBI Boston recorded 103 courier pickups in New England between 2023 and 2025. The 103 victims were nearly all over 60 years old. Victims lost at least $26,024,691 across those cases.
“Simply put, what these con artists are doing is cruel. These literal gold diggers are trying to get rich quick at the expense of our aging family members and friends.”
Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, made the statement in a news release. He urged people to talk with relatives about protecting their assets.
Local police departments coordinate with federal agencies to investigate interstate financial fraud operations. Detectives examine communication records and exchange locations to trace illicit courier networks. Federal authorities issue public guidance to explain how impersonation schemes operate.
The Bureau said legitimate businesses and government agencies never ask consumers to purchase gold. Federal officials advised residents in Boardman and nationwide against allowing unknown individuals to access personal computers.
