The New York Police Department's investigation, which began in May 2024, involves the Department of Homeland Security, the IRS, and other state law enforcement agencies, as authorities believe the scheme is not limited to New York. The FBI has also warned about similar "gold courier" scams, with its 2024 Internet Crime Complaint Center report recording 525 complaints and reported losses totaling $219 million nationwide. Victims are often persuaded to convert their savings into cash or precious metals for "protection" by scammers posing as tech support or government officials.