A federal grand jury in Wichita indicted two men accused of posing as FBI agents to coerce an elderly victim into buying and surrendering $255,287 in gold. Prosecutors say the scheme targeted older retirees by fabricating identity problems and threatening legal consequences, and the FBI is investigating.

A Wichita federal grand jury returned indictments on December 23, 2025 charging two individuals with a scheme that allegedly involved impersonating FBI agents to defraud an elderly victim. According to prosecutors, the defendants contacted the victim, falsely claimed law enforcement or identity-compromise concerns, and coerced the purchase and handover of gold bullion valued at $255,287. The indictment describes classic elder-targeting tactics, including threats of arrest or legal trouble and claims that the victim's identity or accounts had been compromised, designed to terrify and compel immediate payment. The case is being investigated by the FBI, and prosecutors stressed that genuine FBI agents never demand payment or require assets to be transferred to resolve investigations. Authorities urged anyone contacted under similar circumstances to cease communication and report the incident to the FBI and local law enforcement. The prosecution emphasizes both protecting vulnerable populations from high-pressure frauds and the importance of reporting to aid ongoing investigations.