Read the full article on KETV 7
What started as a normal day quickly turned into a nightmare. A Missouri woman says she lost nearly $100,000 after a stranger convinced her she was under federal investigation and needed to move her money to stay safe. How It StartedAccording to a probable cause statement, the scam began on Sept. 10, 2025, when the victim was trying to set up an Amazon account. A message appeared on her screen warning of fraudulent activity and prompting her to call customer service. That call led her to someone who claimed to be a federal agent. The DeceptionInvestigators say the suspect told the woman she was connected to: money launderingdrug traffickingfraudulent financial activityThe man allegedly claimed to be with federal agencies, including the CA, and even sent a badge photo to appear legitimate. The victim told sister KMBC she was convinced. The affidavit states the suspect warned her not to tell anyone, claiming she was under a “gag order” and that even family could be involved. How The Scam EscalatedOver several days, the suspect stayed on the phone with the victim, directing her actions in real time. When she attempted to withdraw cash, her bank limited access due to fraud protections. But the scam didn’t stop there. Instead, the suspect instructed her to:Wire money to purchase gold barsPick them up from a jewelry storeBring them homeAccording to court documents, the victim wired $97, 240 to complete the purchase. The PickupInvestigators say the suspect arranged for someone to come to the victim’s house to collect the gold,On Sept. 11, 2025, a driver arrived in front of her house. A Chilling DetailThe affidavit reveals another troubling detail. The victim’s family later reviewed Ring doorbell footage and discovered that during the pickup, the camera feed had gone dark. A cybersecurity expert told KMBC that criminals can use relatively inexpensive tools to interfere with cameras and communications.What Happened NextAfter the gold was taken, the victim says the phone numbers she had been using to communicate were disconnected.That’s when she realized she had been scammed. She reported the incident to:Excelsior Springs Police Department The FBIFederal agenciesArrest Made According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Excelsior Springs Police Department, suspect Sai Kommana was arrested in connection with the case and charged with financial exploitation of the elderly. In coordination with the FBI and ESPD, Kommana drove to the victim’s house to get the gold.Court documents indicate the suspect may be connected to a broader scam operation. Why This HappensExperts say scams like this are designed to manipulate emotion, not logic. Psychologist Shawn McDaniel with the Kansas City Psychology Center told KMBC:Victims are often:IsolatedPressuredOverwhelmedAnd in many cases, they feel too ashamed to report what happened.Related video below: Gold Scams Surging Nationwide, Costing Victims Hundreds of Millions”It Can Happen to Anyone”Experts stress that scams like this don’t just target one type of person. Authorities say these are major red flags:Someone claims to be from the government and demands immediate action. You are told not to tell anyone.You are asked to move money, buy gold, or purchase gift cards. You feel pressured, afraid, or rushed. What to DoIf you receive a call like this:Hang up immediately. Contact the agency directly using an official numberTalk to someone you trust before taking actionThe victim says she now hopes others can learn from what happened to her.
What started as a normal day quickly turned into a nightmare.
A Missouri woman says she lost nearly $100,000 after a stranger convinced her she was under federal investigation and needed to move her money to stay safe.
Advertisement
How It Started
According to a probable cause statement, the scam began on Sept. 10, 2025, when the victim was trying to set up an Amazon account.
A message appeared on her screen warning of fraudulent activity and prompting her to call customer service.
That call led her to someone who claimed to be a federal agent.
The Deception
Investigators say the suspect told the woman she was connected to:
- money laundering
- drug trafficking
- fraudulent financial activity
The man allegedly claimed to be with federal agencies, including the CA, and even sent a badge photo to appear legitimate.
The victim told sister KMBC she was convinced.
The affidavit states the suspect warned her not to tell anyone, claiming she was under a “gag order” and that even family could be involved.
How The Scam Escalated
Over several days, the suspect stayed on the phone with the victim, directing her actions in real time.
When she attempted to withdraw cash, her bank limited access due to fraud protections.
But the scam didn’t stop there.
Instead, the suspect instructed her to:
- Wire money to purchase gold bars
- Pick them up from a jewelry store
- Bring them home
According to court documents, the victim wired $97, 240 to complete the purchase.
The Pickup
Investigators say the suspect arranged for someone to come to the victim’s house to collect the gold,
On Sept. 11, 2025, a driver arrived in front of her house.
A Chilling Detail
The affidavit reveals another troubling detail.
The victim’s family later reviewed Ring doorbell footage and discovered that during the pickup, the camera feed had gone dark.
A cybersecurity expert told KMBC that criminals can use relatively inexpensive tools to interfere with cameras and communications.
What Happened Next
After the gold was taken, the victim says the phone numbers she had been using to communicate were disconnected.
That’s when she realized she had been scammed.
She reported the incident to:
- Excelsior Springs Police Department
- The FBI
- Federal agencies
Arrest Made
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Excelsior Springs Police Department, suspect Sai Kommana was arrested in connection with the case and charged with financial exploitation of the elderly.
In coordination with the FBI and ESPD, Kommana drove to the victim’s house to get the gold.
Court documents indicate the suspect may be connected to a broader scam operation.
Why This Happens
Experts say scams like this are designed to manipulate emotion, not logic.
Psychologist Shawn McDaniel with the Kansas City Psychology Center told KMBC:
Victims are often:
- Isolated
- Pressured
- Overwhelmed
And in many cases, they feel too ashamed to report what happened.
Related video below: Gold Scams Surging Nationwide, Costing Victims Hundreds of Millions
“It Can Happen to Anyone”
Experts stress that scams like this don’t just target one type of person.
Authorities say these are major red flags:
- Someone claims to be from the government and demands immediate action.
- You are told not to tell anyone.
- You are asked to move money, buy gold, or purchase gift cards.
- You feel pressured, afraid, or rushed.
What to Do
If you receive a call like this:
- Hang up immediately.
- Contact the agency directly using an official number
- Talk to someone you trust before taking action
The victim says she now hopes others can learn from what happened to her.
