Retired surgeon in North Naples says scam cost him more than $700K in gift cards and gold

Dr. Eliot Sherr, a retired foot surgeon who lives in North Naples, told Gulf Coast News the scam began with what appeared to be an Apple fraud alert.

According to Sherr, after calling the number listed in the alert, he was transferred to a man who identified himself as "John Tobias" and claimed to work for Suncoast Credit Union.

Sherr said the man first instructed him to purchase $6,000 worth of gift cards.

"I went to Macy's and Home Depot," Sherr said. "They tried to talk me out of buying the gift cards, but I did anyhow."

Sherr said he scratched off the backs of the gift cards and provided the redemption codes.

He said the requests then escalated.

According to Sherr, he purchased more than $700,000 worth of gold from JM Bullion. He provided Gulf Coast News with photos he says show the gold before he handed it over to a courier.

Sherr said he was given detailed instructions on how to package the gold before meeting the courier in person.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office report states Sherr told deputies he met the courier three times at a Starbucks on Immokalee Road, where he turned over the gold. The report also states the case was referred to the sheriff's Economic Crimes Unit.

Investigators later suspended the case after determining they did not have enough information to identify the suspect or continue the investigation, according to the report.

Sherr said the financial losses weren't simply the result of one phone call.

He said he remained in contact with the man by phone and email for about two months and came to trust him.

"They endear themselves to you and make you want to do what they ask you to do," Sherr said. "Which I did, which is a big mistake."

Sherr said the scammer also attempted to convince him to purchase Bitcoin, but he was unable to complete that transaction.

He said he has also reported the case to the FBI.

Sherr said he decided to share his experience publicly in hopes that others will recognize the warning signs before it's too late.

"Be very, very careful about who you talk to," he said. "Validate them. Call them back if you have to, and call the police if you're very suspicious about anything."