The victim, a Clark County resident in her 70s, was contacted by someone claiming to be from the Federal Office of Inspector General
Clark County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a sophisticated scam where a suspect swindled a community member of over $500,000 in gold coins. The victim, a Clark County resident in her 70s, was contacted by someone claiming to be from the Federal Office of Inspector General, notifying her of fraudulent activity associated with her social security number.
Over several months, the scammer persuaded the victim to participate in a “federal process” to transfer financial assets to a new, secure social security number. The victim even received a phone call from someone posing as a Vancouver Police Officer, who claimed this was a legitimate investigation.
The scammer ultimately conned the victim into withdrawing most of her liquid assets, purchasing gold coins, and providing the coins to an “undercover federal agent” with the promise of having the assets re-issued to her later.
This scam is among a trend of hoaxes used to take advantage of victims online, locally, and nationwide. If you receive a suspicious call and are uncertain, independently look up the direct phone number for the agency or company you believe you are dealing with and call them to verify the situation. Government agents will not ask for any payment in gold, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
This release includes a photo of some of the gold coins purchased by the victim and the suspect’s vehicle (a light-colored SUV). 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. Detectives want to remind the public to be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls or text messages. Check with the elderly persons in your life to ensure they know these dangers.
Information provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
- Battle Ground shooting suspect arrested, second suspect still outstanding
Theodore Seaman, 44, was arrested for Drive-By Shooting; a second suspect fled on foot and has not been located. - High school football: Odd schedule leads to early start to league play in 4A GSHL
The 4A GSHL’s six-game schedule forces all four teams to play each other twice, a first since 2015. - High school football: Skyview takes down Camas for first win in rivalry since 2011
Adarius Sparrow caught three touchdown passes, including two in the fourth quarter, to seal Skyview’s 38-21 win over Camas. - Camas School District Legislative Advocacy Committee to host Candidate Forum
Six candidates from two federal and state districts will answer education questions at Discovery High School on Oct. 5. - Vehicle drives into Camas townhouse
A vehicle backing into a parking stall jumped a curb and struck a Camas townhouse, causing extensive damage but no injuries. - Business profile: Cowlitz Indian Tribe now running the steakhouse at ilani, ‘Sovereign’
Sovereign, the new fine-dining steakhouse at ilani, marks a major milestone in the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s move toward self-operating all restaurants at the casino. - Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Amtrak’s 300-passenger Airo trains debut Sept. 30 on Cascades route, adding seats but not speed or frequency.