Two seniors in Delaware County were taken for more than $3 million in what Radnor police are calling a "gold bar" scam, a slick operation that turned retirement nest eggs into a payday for criminals. Investigators say scammers convinced the victims their accounts had been compromised, pushed them to move their savings into precious metals, then sent couriers to scoop up the gold. The cases, highlighted in morning newscasts, line up with a nationwide surge in elder fraud that law enforcement says has been gaining steam in recent months.
Radnor detectives say the first victim was approached in October 2024 and told to purchase gold and photograph it as part of a supposed Social Security investigation, then leave the package in a car for a courier to collect. A second Radnor-area resident reported a nearly identical setup after being contacted through Facebook, and police say the two residents together lost more than $3 million. "It gives you a pit in your stomach," Radnor Police Detective Brian Bell told Action News, according to 6ABC.
How the scam works and the national response
Investigators say these schemes typically start with spoofed calls that appear to come from government agencies or banks, then ramp up to high-pressure instructions to buy gold. Couriers are sent in to pick up the bars, and police say some know exactly what they are doing while others may be roped in without realizing the full picture. Across the country, authorities have shut down illegal call centers and arrested couriers tied to similar networks, as reported by ABC News. Federal prosecutors have also won convictions against couriers; in one case, an 18-year prison sentence was handed down to a courier accused of helping launder millions in cash and gold, according to IRS Criminal Investigation.
What seniors and families should do
Officials urge people to slow things down and get skeptical. Do not buy gold or hand over cash or bars to anyone who shows up claiming they are safeguarding your assets, and hang up on surprise calls that demand immediate action. AARP’s Fraud Watch Network advises reporting suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), and contacting your bank right away, while the FBI emphasizes filing complaints so agents can spot patterns and step in. For concrete checklists and reporting links, see guidance from AARP and the FBI.
Other headlines this morning
In Bucks County, the owner of Bagelocity Soup King has been charged with indecent assault and harassment after multiple employees alleged years of inappropriate behavior and unwanted physical contact. Detectives say the case began when a former employee came forward, and they are urging anyone else who believes they were victimized to reach out to investigators, according to FOX29.
Legal note
Local reports say the current charges on file are indecent assault and harassment, while the district attorney’s office reviews the evidence and considers whether to pursue additional counts. Bensalem Township Police are asking anyone with information to contact the department as the investigation remains active, per reporting by NBC10 Philadelphia.
Mayfair residents get partial relief
In Philadelphia’s Mayfair neighborhood, residents say crews finally hauled away a vehicle they believed was fueling a persistent rat problem, and city inspectors issued fines to two properties under the Community Life Improvement Program. State Rep. Jared Solomon told 6ABC that his office is working with city agencies to coordinate enforcement and cleanup on surrounding blocks.
Sports note
The Eagles shook up the first round of the NFL Draft by trading up to grab USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick, a move the team revealed on its official site and that local outlets quickly labeled a draft-night twist. For the organization’s full breakdown and local analysis, see the announcement from the Philadelphia Eagles and coverage in The Inquirer.
