Law enforcement officials are cracking down hard on scammers who are convincing people to convert their money to gold bars or hand over their cash in an attempt to steal their life savings.
So far in Montgomery County, five people have been arrested for allegedly stealing funds from four victims. Another three cases are pending with arrests imminent, according to Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
In the four cases where a scammer has been arrested, McCarthy estimated that the victims lost a total of $2.9 million. If all seven cases are counted, the amount stolen jumps to $6.3 million.
Officials from Montgomery County Police, McCarthy’s office, Homeland Security and the FBI Baltimore Field Office gathered Monday at the Montgomery County Circuit Court not merely to let the public know about the crimes. They also want to get the word out how not to fall victim to these scams.
The important thing is to not answer the phone when the caller’s number is not one you recognize, and never click on pop up ads on the computer.
The scammers lure their victims in by convincing them that they are from the government and want to help people save money. They are very convincing, the officials said.
Once a victim has handed over cash or the gold bars they were convinced to purchase, most likely that money will never be recovered, McCarthy said.
FBI Special Agent Bill DelBagno stressed that true government or law enforcement officers never call and ask for money and never ask someone to come to a special place to drop off money.
When someone receives a call like that, they should hang up immediately. If they are unsure, police advise them to hang up and contact someone they trust and ask what they think. Call the non-emergency number of the police for guidance.
Be skeptical if the caller insists on receiving money immediately, DelBagno said. Do not react quickly, he said.
This is an international scam, and people from India and China have reached out to Montgomery County residents, according to McCarthy.
While everyone is a target, victims in Montgomery County so far have been between 61 and 94 years old. The largest amount lost by one victim was $2.3 million, according to Montgomery County Police Detective Sean Petty.
Those falling prey to the scammers are educated people who end up possibly losing everything they own, including their home, and feeling devastated and ashamed.
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