State police find $200k in gold bars; now they’re trying to find who owns them

MILTON --State police at Milton are trying to identify the owners of approximately $200,000 in gold bars that they believe came from unsuspecting scam victims.

On Sept. 10, troopers said they stopped a 2025 Honda Accord with California registration 9TTS143 on Interstate 80 west of Route 15 in Union County.

Gold and an identity-theft affidavit were found in the car and two occupants, whose names were not disclosed, were taken into custody, they said.

This is what state police released Thursday evening:

A victim said the Honda looked like the car used to pick up gold bars on Sept. 3.

Investigators believe some of the gold bars were taken from other victims on Sept. 9 or 10. Prior to the I-80 traffic stop, the Honda was observed in the Coudersport and Smethport areas in Potter and McKean counties.

The gold, being held as evidence, is believed to have been paid after people posing as federal officers told victims to get it or cash and hand it to a courier.

Callers claim to be Immigration and Custom Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security or other federal officers and have used the names Andrew Hall and John Allott.

They tell the victim a criminal case is tied to their Social Security number, they must cooperate and stay silent and to open the Telegram app and text "I am okay" every two hours.

The victim is then told to use their bank or retirement funds, buy gold, wrap it and give it to a person in a tinted out-of-state car.

Anyone who turned over gold or cash on Sept. 9 or 10, especially near Coudersport or Smethport, is asked to contact the criminal investigation unit at Milton at 570-524-2662.

Police did not say if two men in the Honda have been charged.