The NYPD is warning New Yorkers about a sophisticated group of scammers targeting seniors with a gold bar scam that has already netted them more than $100 million in stolen proceeds.
Sergeant Rashawn Vaughn and Detective Emilio Gomez from the Financial Crimes Task Force say they have been investigating the scam since mid-2024, and has impacted hundreds of people in the Big Apple alone.
Investigators say it all starts with a pop-up on a computer that tells users to immediately dial a number they claim is from Microsoft.
“Somebody gets on the line explaining that their computer was infected with a virus, and they need to gain access to their computer so they can fix the issue. In this process, the victims are coerced into providing remote access to their computers, allowing these perpetrators to gain control. It means that they have access to your webcam, your printer, your audio, and your computer,” Vaughn said.
The NYPD are warning people of a sophisticated group of criminals who are scamming seniors into purchasing gold across the five boroughs and making off with over one hundred million. Photo NYPD
The person on the other end of the line then goes through a series of steps to persuade the victim to liquidate all their assets into gold bars. Those performing the con target people in their 60s to 90s, and in one surveillance video viewed by amNewYork, a senior could be seen handing over a box of gold to a man she believed to be a courier in Brooklyn.
Police say that the gold can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, with over $9 million being the most they have seen stolen at one time from a woman in Manhattan.
“A victim who I spoke with multiple times, she lost her life savings, and she was ready to retire. She calls me every week, basically stating that she’s living paycheck to paycheck,” Gomez said. “This is happening to a lot of our victims within New York City and across the United States.”
The NYPD are warning people of a sophisticated group of criminals who are scamming seniors into purchasing gold across the five boroughs and making off with over one hundred million.Photo NYPD 
The NYPD are warning people of a sophisticated group of criminals who are scamming seniors into purchasing gold across the five boroughs and making off with over one hundred million.Photo NYPD
Police say that these particular fraudsters are extremely savvy. One victim in the confines of Manhattan’s 13th Precinct suspected it was a scam. The crooks mimicked the 13th Precinct’s number and called her, pretending to be detectives and pushing her to go along with the rip-off.
In the past, police have recovered some of the cold through search warrants, noting that while some victims will recover some of their money, it will only be a portion. To prevent the scam from occurring, police are telling the public to immediately shut down the computer if the pop-up occurs.
“When it comes to the computer pop-ups, it’s as easy as logging off. You solve every issue you have by logging off of your computer. The urgency of the message is for you to actually call the number. They may attempt right to freeze your computer, but if you log off, you’ll be fine,” Gomez added.
Anyone with information about the scam or believes they have been a victim of the con game can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.