Oregon Woman Loses $600,000 to Scammers in Heartbreaking Gold Scheme
In a troubling incident highlighting the rise of financial scams, an Eastern Oregon woman in her 60s lost $600,000 after being duped into purchasing gold bars. State officials from the Oregon Department of Justice reported that the scammers posed as federal agents, convincing her that acquiring gold bars was necessary to safeguard her accounts from being frozen or hacked.
The scam began when the woman purchased the gold bars and transferred their ownership to the scammers upon their instruction. Aware of her intentions, her sister reached out to the state’s consumer protection hotline, prompting intervention from law enforcement. Authorities managed to stop her from handing over an additional $300,000 in gold bars.
“This is a heartbreaking situation,” said Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, stressing the importance of vigilance against such deceptive schemes. State officials emphasized that legitimate government agencies or banks never require individuals to purchase and transfer ownership of gold or other valuables.
In a separate case, another woman in Eastern Oregon reportedly fell victim to a similar scheme, buying $60,000 in silver bars before being tricked. The Justice Department warns that scammers often create a sense of urgency, pushing victims to act quickly. They encourage anyone facing such situations to trust their instincts and to report suspicious activities to the Oregon Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission.
Jenny Hansson, a spokesperson for the Justice Department, described the interaction with the victim and the scammers, stating that a deputy was able to disclose the truth to her, ultimately protecting her from further loss.
Residents are urged to remain cautious and report any potential scams immediately to help safeguard their savings.
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