An Illinois man has been charged with felony fraud after Lafayette police say a resident was tricked into purchasing more than $176,000 in gold bars and handing them to a scammer, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in connection with the case.
How investigators say the scam unfolded
Police records show the alleged victim first noticed an unauthorized transaction while balancing his checkbook on Oct. 28. After finding what he thought was a fraud department phone number for the company tied to the transaction, he spoke with a woman who identified herself as "Daisy Miller." The woman continued to contact the man nearly every day, often for several hours, from Oct. 30 through Nov. 19.
Authorities say the woman told the man to liquidate a financial investment account and purchase gold, offering a daily payment of $200 as an "inconvenience" payment and instructing him not to tell anyone about their conversations. The scheme intensified when callers used caller ID spoofing to make it appear the Lafayette Police Department's number was calling.
"to believe Daisy"
Court documents say the scammer explicitly told the victim he would be contacted by the Lafayette Police Department's "Fraud Unit" and that he should expect a call from Sergeant Adam Ransom of the LPD. The victim received a call from 765-807-1200, the number for the Lafayette Police Department, and answered the phone only after the woman instructed him to do so. The caller purportedly vouched for the woman and urged the victim "to believe Daisy," according to the affidavit.
How the handoff led to charges
Police say the exchange culminated when the victim met with a man who was to receive the gold bars. The victim photographed the man's vehicle and license plate at the time of the exchange, and investigators used that photo to track the suspect, according to the affidavit. On Nov. 20, the victim reported the fraud to Lafayette police, prompting the investigation that led to felony charges against an Illinois resident.
The probable cause affidavit outlining these events was filed by prosecutors earlier this week. It does not identify the defendant by name in the material provided to news outlets, and court records reviewed by WE NEWS did not include additional identifying information.
Scammers using spoofing and social engineering
The case illustrates tactics commonly seen in modern fraud schemes: repeated, prolonged contact to build trust; instructions to keep the interaction secret; promises of payment or compensation; and use of caller ID spoofing to impersonate law enforcement or company representatives. The Lafayette incident included each of those elements, according to court documents.
Police say the victim was persuaded to liquidate assets and purchase physical gold to satisfy the scammers. The total value of bars involved in the transaction exceeded $176,000, per the affidavit.
- Oct. 28: Victim notices fraudulent transaction.
- Oct. 30–Nov. 19: Daily communications with person identifying as "Daisy Miller."
- Nov. 6: Victim allegedly told to liquidate investments and buy gold.
- Nov. 20: Victim reports fraud to Lafayette police.
| Date | Alleged event |
|---|---|
| Oct. 28 | Victim notices unauthorized transaction |
| Oct. 30–Nov. 19 | Repeated phone and email contact from purported fraud department representative |
| Nov. 6 | Advised to liquidate investments and purchase gold |
| Nov. 20 | Victim reports fraud to Lafayette police |
What investigators learned and next steps
According to the affidavit, investigators were able to trace the suspect in part because the victim photographed the vehicle and license plate used during the exchange. That photograph led police to identify and locate the Illinois man now facing felony charges in the case.
The nature of the charges and any scheduled court appearances are detailed in the probable cause affidavit. WE NEWS sought additional comment from Lafayette police and prosecutors but did not receive an immediate response.
Practical takeaways for residents
Law enforcement officials regularly warn residents to be suspicious of unsolicited calls and emails that demand secrecy, promise payments for compliance, or use spoofed phone numbers to impersonate trusted institutions. Scammers often push targets to act quickly — to move funds, withdraw assets or complete transactions — which reduces the chance victims will consult friends, family or independent advisors.
Authorities recommend verifying any unexpected contact by calling known phone numbers for the company or agency involved, independently looking up phone numbers rather than using numbers supplied in the message, and reporting suspicious calls to local police and the Federal Trade Commission.
The Lafayette case highlights both the sophistication of phone-based fraud and the difference careful actions can make; the victim's decision to photograph the vehicle and license plate provided the lead investigators say was key to identifying the suspect.
This report is based on a probable cause affidavit and police records in the Lafayette investigation.
