FNN Article Update Monday, September 21, 2026.
To view the latest update on this article which was released on Monday evening, September 21, 2026, simply click the following weblink – https://www.firstnewsnowpa.com/pa-state-police-update-traffic-stop-case-that-exposed-scammers-who-had-collected-gold-bars-from-their-victims/ .
MILTON, PA – Pennsylvania State Police based in Milton are trying to identify the owners of nearly $200,000 in gold bars seized by Troopers after they conducted a traffic stop along Interstate 80 on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
According to police, they stopped a silver 2025 Honda Accord with California registration 9TTS143 along I-80 near mile marker 203.
Gold bars and an identity theft affidavit were found inside the vehicle by police. The two occupants of the car were taken into custody and the gold bars are being held as evidence.
Police noted that the gold may be connected to a scam in which callers posing as ICE, DHS, or other federal officers and convinced victims to withdraw money, purchase gold and hand it over to a courier. The callers/scammers have used names such as Andrew Hall or John Allott. The tell the victim a criminal case is tied to their Social Security number. They claim that the victim must stay silent and cooperate, and often they are told to open Telegram and text, “I am Okay” every two hours. The victim is then told to pull bank or retirement funds, buy gold, wrap it, and give it to a person in a tinted out-of-state car.
One victim reported to police that the Honda looked like the car that was used to pick up gold on Wednesday, September 3, 2026.
Investigators believe that some of the gold bars were taken from other victims on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, or Thursday, September 10, 2026. Earlier on September 10th, prior to the vehicle being stopped, the Honda was in the Coudersport and Smethport areas.
Now police are trying to identify the victims, so if you turned over gold or cash on September 9th or or 10th, 2026, especially in Coudersport or Smethport call the Troop F Milton Criminal Investigation Unit at (570) 524-2662. Reference # 2026-1166513.
