(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Milton, PA) The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are investigating an organized fraud scheme in which scammers impersonate federal law enforcement agencies. 

According to investigators, the scam typically begins with a pop-up appearing on the victim’s computer.

The victim is then contacted by people that claim to represent federal officials. 

The scammers tell victims in this scam that their identity or Social Security number has been connected to criminal activity and that their bank accounts or personal information have been compromised.

They also instruct the victim to then withdraw money from their accounts, buy gold bars or coins and turn the gold over to a courier for its “safekeeping.”

Approximately $6.5 million has been stolen through this scheme to date.

Victims have been identified across the country, including in the state of Washington and Maryland.

Pennsylvania State Police believe that there may be additional victims who have not yet been identified. 

State police are asking anyone who may have been a target of this scam and was instructed to buy or provide gold to a courier in August and/or September to contact their local investigators. 

A vehicle that was involved in this scheme has been identified as a silver 2025 Honda Accord that bears California registration 9TTS143.

Two people were taken into custody after Pennsylvania State Police stopped their vehicle on September 10th, 2026 on Interstate 80 in Union County.

Anyone who believes that they may have been victimized or who turned over gold or money in connection with this scam is asked to call Trooper Eric Dreisbach at 570-560-0625 and reference this code: PA 2026-1166513. 

No legitimate law enforcement officer will give you instructions to buy gold or give money or gold to a courier.