“Federal Locker” Scam Hits PA Victim
By Greg Collier
Authorities in Chester County, Pennsylvania, are alerting residents to a concerning scam that has already claimed at least one local victim. The deceptive scheme involves impersonators who threaten individuals with arrest by federal law enforcement if they do not immediately comply with demands for money.
The scam, now being referred to as the “Federal Locker Scam,” follows a familiar pattern of fear-based manipulation. In the incident reported, a victim was tricked after searching online for a subscription service’s contact number. The number she dialed appeared legitimate, but instead connected her to a scammer who falsely claimed her account had been compromised and needed federal intervention.
Scammers are increasingly using online advertising to add a layer of credibility to their schemes. By purchasing ads on popular search engines like Google, they can impersonate legitimate companies and services. These fraudulent listings often appear at the very top of search results, even outranking the actual businesses they are pretending to represent. This tactic makes it more likely for unsuspecting individuals to call a scammer instead of the real customer service line, setting the stage for sophisticated fraud attempts like the one described in this case.
Once trust was established, the caller urged her to withdraw large sums of money and convert them into gold, cryptocurrency, and gift cards. The fraudsters assured her these assets would be safely stored in a so-called government locker and later returned by federal agents. Over the course of eight days, the victim lost $100,000. The ruse only came to an end after a concerned family member intervened and helped her contact law enforcement.
Officials say this case is not an isolated incident. Similar scams have emerged in neighboring jurisdictions, often involving impersonations of federal agencies. These scams frequently cite agencies such as the U.S. Marshals Service or Social Security Administration and attempt to obtain personal banking details or alternative forms of untraceable payment.
Victims range widely in age, from young adults to senior citizens, demonstrating that the scam does not target one particular demographic. Police emphasize that real federal agencies will never request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, nor will they threaten arrest over the phone.
In the case reported, the victim was fortunate to recover a portion of the funds. Law enforcement encourages anyone who receives suspicious calls of this nature to reach out to their local police department before taking any action.
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