A scam involving gold bars is affecting some residents in Brentwood, police said Friday.
The scam involves convincing victims to convert their cash into gold bars.
The criminals pose as U.S. government officials or as customer support professionals from a financial or tech company, according to police.
The fraudsters contact victims and claim that their financial accounts were hacked. The victim is then persuaded to turn their assets into gold bars. Once the victim confirms that they have purchased the gold bars, the scammers send someone to meet the victim to collect the bars.
“If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t,” said Brentwood Police.
Residents are asked to call the police before giving out any personal information to someone who reaches out to them about this, or before sending anyone money in these situations.
Brentwood Police can be reached at (925) 809-7911.
Use common sense and logic, unfortunately that is in short supply, especially in California.
Older people with cognitive decline are big targets for these types of scams. Talk to your elderly relatives (if you have any and care about them).
If someone comes up to you to buy their gold bars with cash should look in the mirror twice before going outside.