'It's very scary': Woman warns others after losing $433K in gold scam A Wisconsin woman lost $433,000 in a government imposter scam in which she was convinced to convert her life savings to gold, cash transfers and crypto to keep it safe.

A woman thought someone stole her identity when, in reality, con artists convinced her to drain her accounts. Now, an Oshkosh woman is out $433,000, and she is sharing her story to warn others not to fall victim.

It's part of an international scheme sweeping the country, convincing older adults to drain their accounts and convert the cash to gold and other means. The callers pretend to be from the federal government, like the FBI or the Federal Trade Commission, and convince the victims that their accounts are hacked and they are taking over to keep them safe. Then, typically, a courier comes to pick up the cash or gold.


The Oshkosh woman says she gave up $131,000 in gold and the rest in cash, cryptocurrency and gift cards.

She says it started with a pop-up on her computer that locked it completely.

 So, I clicked on it. I immediately got a phone call,  said Mary, who did not want to share her last name.  The caller ID said my financial institution. The guy identified himself as being from my financial institution, and he said, 'You've been hacked, and your Social Security number is out on the dark web in eight different places.' 

Then, she says they printed a nondisclosure agreement from her own printer, which she signed. She thought her identity was stolen and used in a crime.

 I'm in a panic, and I'm like, 'Oh my god,'  she said.  You're a suspect in weapons dealing and money laundering. 

The caller first pretended to be from Mary's financial adviser, then from the federal government and finally the Better Business Bureau.

 He (the Better Business Bureau representative) said, 'You'll just be dealing with me, and I'm going to help secure your accounts,'  she said.

Mary says they called her constantly over a three-month span, building trust and instructing her on what to do.

 I put over 600 miles on my car, and they're with me 

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