About This Gold Scammer List

The database below tracks websites involved in gold and precious metals fraud. Each entry is risk-scored and linked to a detailed evidence report. Search by domain name or filter by scam type to check any dealer or investment platform.

Gold Fraud in 2026

With gold prices reaching record highs, the precious metals market has become fertile ground for scammers. The CFTC has issued specific warnings about precious metals fraud schemes. Fraudulent gold dealers, fake mining investment platforms, and gold-backed crypto tokens with no actual reserves have proliferated. The FTC reports that investment scams — including those involving precious metals — are the single costliest fraud category. These scams prey on investors looking for safe-haven assets during periods of economic uncertainty.

Unlike crypto scams that operate almost entirely online, gold fraud often blends digital and physical deception. Scammers may ship counterfeit bars, deliver gold-plated tungsten, or simply take payment and vanish.

Types of Gold Scams in This Database

• Fake bullion dealers — Professional-looking e-commerce sites that accept payment for gold bars and coins but never deliver, or ship counterfeits.
• Gold-backed token scams — Cryptocurrency tokens claiming to be backed 1:1 by physical gold reserves that do not exist or cannot be audited.
• Mining investment fraud — Schemes soliciting investment in gold mines that are either non-existent or have no real production capacity.
• Advance-fee gold deals — Offers to sell gold at below-market prices that require upfront fees for "insurance," "taxes," or "shipping" before the deal can close. The gold never materializes.
• Social media gold sellers — Instagram and Facebook accounts selling gold jewelry or bullion at steep discounts, delivering counterfeits or nothing at all.

How to Use This List

Search for any gold dealer or investment site you are considering. A presence in this database with a high risk score is a clear signal to avoid the site entirely. For domains not yet listed, run a live scan below.

Safe Gold Purchasing

Buy from established, reputable dealers with verifiable physical addresses and industry association memberships. Be wary of any deal that seems too good to be true — gold trades at a global spot price, and legitimate dealers cannot offer significant discounts below that price. The BBB Scam Tracker is another useful resource for checking dealer complaints. If you have been victimized, see our guide on what to do after being scammed online.