Overview
- Suffolk County issued a public alert on Monday after police stopped an incident that almost cost an elderly woman $140,000 and after more than a dozen seniors were targeted in recent weeks.
- Investigators say scammers impersonate banks, government agencies and tech support, use spoofed caller ID and computer pop‑ups, then pressure victims to convert savings into gold and hand over the bars to courier drivers.
- Police describe the fraud as fast and sophisticated, saying once couriers collect the bullion recovery is difficult and suspects may be part of international rings or hacker networks.
- County lawmakers have proposed requiring warning posters in precious‑metal shops, a 48‑hour hold on first‑time bullion purchases over $50,000 and extra questioning for buyers age 60 and older to block hasty purchases.
- Officials advise victims to hang up, call their bank and local police before acting, and say the investigation is active with arrests expected as authorities follow leads.