Courier Dolandırıcılığı Altın ve Nümizmatik Satın Alımları Üzerinde Artan Risk Oluşturuyor
Courier dolandırıcılığı, altın çubuk ve tek‑ounce altın külçesi gibi yüksek değerli nümizmatik alımları hedef alarak bankaların ödeme prosedürlerini sıkılaştırmasına ve satıcıların risk yönetimini yeniden gözden geçirmesine yol açıyor.
Two years ago the author introduced “courier fraud,” a scheme where scammers pose as law‑enforcement or bank officials and persuade victims to buy coins or precious‑metal bars for a fictitious investigation. After payment, the fraudsters claim they need to collect the items as evidence, then disappear with the valuables.
A recent indictment in the Dallas, Texas area involved more than 40 individuals linked to an estimated worldwide loss of $250 million. The case included owners of three local jewelry stores who allegedly melted the seized gold bars and sold the resulting jewelry domestically and abroad.
The fraud’s growth is now influencing financial institutions. The author’s company received a six‑figure gold purchase request, but the buyer’s bank refused to issue a cashier’s check payable to the company, fearing a courier‑fraud scenario. The bank would only issue a check to the buyer, which the dealer could not deposit because of third‑party endorsement restrictions.
Dealers are advised to watch for red flags: first‑time large purchases, nervous demeanor, demand for one‑ounce gold bars, third‑party pickup, and secrecy from family members. When such signs appear, dealers should question the buyer and consult legal counsel to limit liability.
A pending lawsuit alleges that a coin dealer should have recognized a gold purchase as part of a scam, highlighting the increasing legal exposure for dealers. The combined pressure from banks and potential litigation is prompting the market to adopt stricter due‑diligence practices.
