An Ada Township couple was on the verge of handing over $250,000 in gold to two people posing as federal agents when Kent County sheriff's deputies arrested the suspects. The sting operation stopped a nationwide gold fraud scheme that targeted elderly residents across the Midwest.

The Scam Unfolds

Police were alerted to the scheme in early June after investigators learned an 87-year-old man and his wife were being defrauded through an online scam, according to court records cited by WOOD TV8. The suspects gained access to the couple's computer and convinced them their savings were under threat, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed by the Kent County Sheriff's Office.

The pair told the victims to convert their savings into gold and deliver it to someone claiming to be a federal agent. The exchange was set for a location in Cascade Township.

"A lot of times, these elderly people are convinced the scam is real," Kent County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Scott Dietrich told WOOD TV8.

Two Arrested in the Sting

Deputies staged an undercover operation and arrested Christian Jalan Matthews, 23, of Pennsylvania, and Taylor Nicole Mitchell-Meeks, 28, of New Jersey, after the gold exchange took place, according to court records.

Both suspects represented themselves as agents with the Federal Trade Commission and the Social Security Administration, police said. The pair admitted to committing similar crimes throughout the Midwest over the past four months, according to investigators.

Matthews and Mitchell-Meeks face three felony charges, including:

• Conducting a criminal enterprise
• False pretenses of $100,000 or more
• Using a computer to commit a crime

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Both remain in the Kent County Jail on $500,000 cash bonds, according to court records.

A Growing National Trend

The Ada case is part of a broader pattern of gold courier scams targeting older adults. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that losses from this type of scam topped $55 million from May through December 2023 alone.

Scammers impersonate government officials, tell victims their money is tied to criminal activity, and pressure them to buy precious metals so a courier can collect them. Once gold leaves the banking system, the loss is much harder to reverse than a traditional bank transfer.

"Real government agents do not ask people to buy gold bars, deliver gold to couriers, or withdraw cash to protect it," the Federal Trade Commission warned in public guidance.

A similar case unfolded in May when a 79-year-old Spring Lake woman was told her Social Security funds were linked to terrorism and directed to purchase $700,000 in gold. An alert store owner intervened before the scam could be completed, records show.

How Ada's Loss Was Prevented

Police said the suspects were arrested before the gold was handed over in the Ada case. Investigators credited early intervention for sparing the couple from losing their life savings.

Sgt. Dietrich said family members and local businesses often play a critical role in stopping these scams when an older adult suddenly attempts to cash out large amounts of savings or purchase gold without explanation.

The Federal Trade Commission advises anyone who receives a call claiming their savings or Social Security number is tied to a crime to end the conversation and contact the agency directly using a verified public number.

Victims or witnesses can report suspicious activity to IC3.gov. Adults 60 and older who need help filing a complaint can contact the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.