A scammer posing as a U.S. Treasury Department official tricked a Walton County resident into losing more than $280,000, prompting the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) to warn locals about scam tactics and how to protect themselves.
According to authorities, the victim received a call from someone claiming their Social Security number had been compromised. The caller then transferred them to another individual impersonating a federal officer, who instructed the victim to move $10,600 to the “Treasury Department” and purchase gold to protect their assets.
Following the scammer’s directions, the victim bought over $280,000 worth of gold from a coin and bullion store. The fraudsters then arranged for the gold’s delivery, instructing the victim to repackage it using a provided password for a supposed “undercover officer.” The victim left the gold in a designated vehicle, believing it would be stored in a U.S. Treasury vault for safekeeping.
However, when the victim later tried to follow up, the phone number was disconnected—revealing the scam.
In a public statement, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office stressed that no legitimate government agency or law enforcement department will ever request payments or asset transfers using gift cards, cryptocurrency, bullion, Bitcoin, or undercover operations.