• The gold and silver investment industry is rife with companies using high-pressure sales tactics to push overpriced, obscure coins with massive markups (sometimes 300-450% premiums), often targeting retirees' IRA savings.

• These firms heavily advertise on and secure endorsements from major conservative media networks and personalities, leveraging viewers' trust to lend credibility to their fraudulent schemes.

• High-profile conservative endorsers, despite knowing the sued and bankrupt histories of these companies, continue lucrative sponsorships and refuse to address or warn their audiences about the scams, even when presented with evidence.

• Investors are advised to avoid "exclusive" coins, demand transparent upfront pricing, compare prices with legitimate dealers and trust their instincts to avoid being defrauded.

• The scandal reveals a systemic problem where regulatory action is lacking and trusted media channels are complicit, forcing investors to personally educate themselves to protect their savings from these predatory practices.

A growing scandal in the gold and silver investment industry reveals how conservative media promotes companies accused of defrauding elderly investors. Whistleblower Dale Whitaker, former CFO of Augusta Precious Metals and author of "The Gold Grift," exposed how these firms use deceptive sales tactics, inflated premiums and misleading marketing to bilk retirees out of their life savings in a recent interview on the "Health Ranger Report."

Whitaker explained to the Health Ranger Mike Adams how the scam works:

• Bait-and-switch tactics: Investors call wanting standard bullion (like American Eagles) but are pressured into buying obscure, high-premium coins with arbitrary valuations.

• Massive markups: Some firms charge 300% to 450% premiums on silver coins, meaning buyers pay $200+ per ounce when the actual spot price is around $25.

• Fast-talking salesmen: High-pressure sales teams earn 10% to 15% commissions, incentivizing them to push worthless "exclusive" coins.

• False promises: Customers are told their coins will appreciate, only to discover they're worth half their investment when trying to sell.

Whitaker's revelations highlight a disturbing trend: Major gold retailers have faced lawsuits for fraud yet continue operating with the endorsement of high-profile conservative voices. Worse, these companies advertise heavily on networks like Fox News, Newsmax and One America News (OAN), leveraging trust in conservative media to push overpriced, illiquid coins onto unsuspecting buyers.