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Gold scams surging nationwide, costing victims hundreds of millions
Scammers used impersonation and fear tactics to convince victims to buy gold, causing $262 million in losses nationwide from January to October 2025, FBI data shows.
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation says gold courier scams caused more than $262 million in losses nationwide between January and October 2025, Hearst Television data show.
- Amid spiking gold prices, scammers exploit economic concerns by impersonating banks and federal agencies, pressuring victims to buy gold as a way to protect savings this year.
- Investigators say scammers instruct victims to seal gold in boxes and hand it to domestic couriers, including Antonio Pena and Brandy Durst, who allegedly crisscrossed states while authorities recently shut down overseas call centers in India.
- State data show losses exceed $43 million in California, $33 million elsewhere, $22 million in Texas and $21 million in Florida, with one victim handing over more than $339,000 and defendants facing federal conspiracy and money‑laundering charges.
- Authorities advise victims to report fraud to local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, contact banks, preserve records, and follow security measures like changing passwords and running virus scans.
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