An 85-year-old Berks County man lost $30,000 in an elaborate wire fraud scheme before Pennsylvania State Police intervened and prevented him from losing more than $200,000 in additional assets, authorities said.
According to a Pennsylvania State Police public information release, troopers from the Hamburg Patrol Unit were dispatched to a residence on Hall Road in Perry Township at approximately 6:20 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, to investigate a possible ongoing fraud.
Troopers said the victim, an 85-year-old Shoemakersville man, had been targeted in a scam that began on July 1.
Investigators said the scammers falsely identified themselves as officials with various federal agencies and convinced the victim to purchase a large quantity of gold from a broker in Maryland. After receiving the gold, the victim was instructed to contact the scammers so they could arrange to take possession of it for what they claimed would be safekeeping.
State police said law enforcement intervened before the victim completed the gold purchase, preventing a loss of more than $200,000.
However, investigators said the victim had already lost $30,000 earlier in the course of the scam.
The investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Hamburg Patrol Unit remains ongoing.