The scammers then create a website forum where people go to discuss this amazing "new" portfolio, that includes ownership of individual gold coins as a so-called "inflation hedge."
If anyone questions the need to hold actual gold coins, and instead hold ETFs, the scammers use fear tactics to get people to buy individual gold coins.
Sometimes the scammers go as far as to author books on the subject of their "gold backed portfolios" and may even make a presidential campaign to feign legitimacy.
Once the trap is laid, the scammers, who run the discussion forum, know the IP addresses of the members. Since the members are convinced holding gold coins is a good thing, the scammers are able to find the home addresses and rob the members who were tricked into joining.
Be weary of any investing portfolio that advocates gold coin ownership, especially ones that may have discussion forums where IP logging is enabled.
