The victim, a Clark County resident in her 70s, was contacted by someone claiming to be from the Federal Office of Inspector General
Clark County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a sophisticated scam where a suspect swindled a community member of over $500,000 in gold coins. The victim, a Clark County resident in her 70s, was contacted by someone claiming to be from the Federal Office of Inspector General, notifying her of fraudulent activity associated with her social security number.
Over several months, the scammer persuaded the victim to participate in a “federal process” to transfer financial assets to a new, secure social security number. The victim even received a phone call from someone posing as a Vancouver Police Officer, who claimed this was a legitimate investigation.
The scammer ultimately conned the victim into withdrawing most of her liquid assets, purchasing gold coins, and providing the coins to an “undercover federal agent” with the promise of having the assets re-issued to her later.
This scam is among a trend of hoaxes used to take advantage of victims online, locally, and nationwide. If you receive a suspicious call and are uncertain, independently look up the direct phone number for the agency or company you believe you are dealing with and call them to verify the situation. Government agents will not ask for any payment in gold, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
This release includes a photo of some of the gold coins purchased by the victim and the suspect’s vehicle (a light-colored SUV). Anyone with information about the vehicle or case should call the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit Tip Line at 564-397-2847. Detectives want to remind the public to be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls or text messages. Check with the elderly persons in your life to ensure they know these dangers.
Information provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Also read:
- Clark College officially opens Advanced Manufacturing Center in Ridgefield
Clark College marked the official opening of its Advanced Manufacturing Center in Ridgefield, a new facility focused on training students for careers in advanced manufacturing. - POLL: With updated estimates reaching as high as $17.7 billion, what should happen to the I-5 Bridge replacement project?
A new poll asks readers how the I-5 Bridge replacement project should proceed amid higher cost estimates and questions about transparency within the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. - Letter: ‘Walz’s tough talk is a blatant attempt to deflect his complicity in the massive fraud in his state’
Camas resident Anna Miller argues that a governor has no legal authority to deploy the National Guard to interfere with federal law enforcement and criticizes Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s public statements. - VIDEO: Reykdal tells school districts to ‘abide by the law’ on trans athletes
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal said Washington school districts must follow state law on transgender athletes as citizen initiatives and related Supreme Court cases move forward. - County seeks community needs survey responses from residents
Clark County Community Services is collecting survey responses from residents living on limited incomes to inform its required Community Needs Assessment and guide funding priorities for anti-poverty services. - Opinion: Not a Good choice
Lars Larson argues that personal choices led to a deadly confrontation with law enforcement during an ICE operation in Minneapolis. - County Charter Review Commission to hold first two meetings in January
The Clark County Charter Review Commission will meet twice in January to begin reviewing the county’s charter and consider whether to recommend amendments for voter approval.
wpDiscuz
