Mar 4, 2025
The FBI is warning consumers about a gold bar scam that fleeced unsuspecting victims out of more than $126 million in 2024 — and the one red flag many miss.
One victim, an Indiana widower, spoke to ABC News about how he was scammed out of his life savings.
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"Two years ago, my wife passed away. And so, it was a pretty fragile time for me," Kris Owen told the I-Team and ABC News. That was when the scammers reached out to him.
"It was believable enough for me to have done this," he said. “It’s more embarrassing than anything else.”
Owen, who lives in Westfield, near Indianapolis, says he lost more than $80,000 of his life savings in the scam that started with a pop-up message on his computer.
How did the gold bar scam unfold?
Owen says the scam started with a message on his computer and quickly escalated to real-life meetings and clandestine drop-offs.
"I got the message [on the computer] that I needed to call this number because my computer had been hacked," Owen explained. When he called, he was told he was speaking with an FBI agent.
"And then, I got a letter that was emailed to me and from a cybersecurity task force that indicated that my name had been implicated and that I needed to secure my personal funds through an FBI program that would take the monetary funds, put them in a secure deposit," Owen said.
Scammers told him he was being framed for a drug crime in Texas — but assured him they could protect his funds from being seized. After months of calls and texts, the scammers posing as FBI agents convinced him to withdraw $80,000 in cash and buy gold bars. Then, they directed Owen to a parking lot where a courier picked up the bars.
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"I put the package in the back window as required. I asked if he was my agent. He nodded. He never said anything to me. He nodded and drove off," Owen said. "It was gone, absolutely gone."
They even sent him an official-looking letter saying his gold was safe. But when the fraudsters kept asking for money, Owen got suspicious and called the FBI — the real one, this time. FBI officials explained that Owen was being scammed and, with the help of the Carmel, Indiana police, set up a sting to catch the fraudsters.
This time, when Owen made the drop, officials followed the fraudster and arrested 31-year-old Abdul Afan Mohammed, a Chicago-area resident.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana charged Mohammed with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Mohammed pleaded not guilty. Authorities say he later fled the country and remains a fugitive.
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The 1 red flag to watch out for
Gold bar scams prey on fear and urgency, often successfully victimizing people in vulnerable situations — like Owen, who was still grieving his wife’s passing.
These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers posing as law enforcement, banks and government agencies. Once the money is converted into gold bars or other hard-to-trace assets, it becomes difficult to recover.
One red flag to watch out for is pop-ups you don't recognize asking you to call a number you don't know. These pop-ups often claim your device has been hacked and provide a phone number to call for help — where a scammer is waiting.
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Never call a number from an unsolicited pop-up or email and don’t click links you don't recognize. Instead, contact your bank or a trusted IT professional to check if your device is compromised. The FBI shared this warning:
"Never click on sites that you're not familiar with," Chris Delzotto, section chief of the Financial Crimes unit for the FBI told ABC News. "We use the phrase 'take a beat' here. Step back. Consult with a trusted family member or friend. See if it makes sense before you engage."
Finally, know that law enforcement will never ask you to move or offer to help protect your money. Scammers posing as FBI agents, police officers or government officials may claim your money is at risk of being seized or that you are under investigation.
No legitimate law enforcement agency will ever ask you to withdraw money, buy gold or send cash to protect your assets. If someone makes this request, it’s a scam.
If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to local authorities and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Acting quickly can prevent further losses and stop fraudsters from taking advantage of even more people.
Gold bar scams — and scams like them — are designed to exploit fear and confusion. By avoiding unsolicited pop-ups and reporting suspected fraud immediately, you can protect yourself and your finances.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer whose work has appeared in publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love. She’s especially passionate about helping families and kids learn smart money habits early.
