Clark County woman conned out of $500K by fake federal agent

Clark County sheriff’s detectives are investigating a scam that conned a Clark County woman in her 70s into purchasing and handing over more than $500,000 in gold coins to someone impersonating an undercover federal agent.

Someone claiming to be from the Federal Office of Inspector General contacted the victim about fraudulent activity associated with her Social Security number, according to a Clark County Sheriff’s Office news release.

The scammer persuaded the woman over several months to participate in a “federal process” to transfer financial assets to a new, secure Social Security number, according to the news release.

The victim received a phone call from someone posing as a Vancouver police officer, claiming this was a legitimate investigation.

The scammer convinced the victim to withdraw most of her liquid assets, buy gold coins and give the coins to an “undercover federal agent” with the promise of having the assets reissued to her later. The suspect was driving a light-colored SUV, according to the news release.

The scam is part of a trend of hoaxes in Clark County and nationally. Government agents will not ask for any payment in gold, gift cards or cryptocurrency, the news release states.

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.