Grainger County, Tenn. (WVLT)- Authorities in Grainger County warn residents of scam.

According to Sheriff Scott Layel, a resident was scammed for 200,000 dollars after being approached on the Internet about purchasing 10 gold bars at discount prices. The scammers said the gold was to be shipped to the United States to Amet Storage Ltd.

The scammer goes by the fake name of Aku Appiah Theodora, and says they're from The Republic Of Ghana.

The buyer receives an email confirmation of purchase as well as a certificate of ownership from the Ministry of Interior from the Republic of Ghana. The seller develops a rapport from the buyer through email communications.

Sheriff Layel warns that "if it seems like it is too good to be true then it usually is…There are many predators from other countries lurking on the web.”

The Federal Government is aware of the scheme and has posted warning on the Homeland Security website.