Brisbane, Australia
CNN
–
Two con artists accused of scamming an elderly woman from tens of thousands of dollars of cash were arrested by Australian police for investigating a spurt in “Chinese blessing fraud.”
China’s blessing fraud has been reported worldwide in the past 25 years or so, including the United States, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand.
Criminals usually target older Asian women and are convinced that a member of the family is cursed or at risk. Victims are said to be the only way to drive away negative spirits by blessing their wealth.
“It’s stealth robbery. These criminals crowd these vulnerable victims, usually Asians, older women. They crowd like a herd of hyenas,” said Guy Maggie, New South Wales Police Department Criminal and Criminal Superintendent.
The 63-year-old woman was detained at Sydney International Airport after “extensive enquiries” by Strike Force Sentinel, a special task force formed in April to investigate 80 reports of fraud. She has been charged with many crimes.
Her suspected accomplice, 63-year-old man, was taken into custody at Brisbane Airport on Friday. He is expected to be billed soon.
Detective superintendent Maggie said on Friday that perpetrators of China’s blessing fraud were targeting the entire east coast of Australia.
“They fly. They’ll prey on vulnerable people in their communities. They’ll exploit that community’s vulnerability with regard to superstition,” he said.
Usually, older victims are taken by someone who claims to be spiritual healers, who tell them to put their money and valuables in their bags.
“They will convince them that it is blessed and they will tell them not to open the bag for a certain number of months.
“Unfortunately, the victims have opened those bags to find money, and the gems are simply not there. That’s a disgrace.”
The two suspects arrested this week are accused of scaming a 77-year-old woman with $130,000 ($85,000) worth of cash and jewels in the western Parramatta, a suburb of Sydney in June.
NSW police say they believe 50 people are involved in the fraud and have identified 25 suspects by name. It is said that another 25 people were taking part on camera. Eleven arrest warrants have been issued.
“It’s like role-playing. There’s nothing coincidental about what they do. They all have a deliberate role,” Maggie said.
He said police believe the crime is “deeply underreported” because of the shame of the victim’s embarrassment and shame. He added that the number of cases is “probably twice as much” police estimate.
Last November, New Zealand police arrested three Chinese citizens for attempting to leave for a flight to China after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars.
Police claim that within October and days the trio has arrived in the country, starting to target seniors in the community.
The con artist seduced two victims of New Zealand’s roughly $30,000 ($18,000) of cash and gems, police said in a statement.
“A significant amount” of money was collected, they added.
NSW police have issued advice to the community to be wary of people seeking direction from herb doctors and spiritual healers in China.
“Don’t take strangers home,” Advice said. Do not hand your valuables to strangers. “Don’t put money or jewelry in your bag for the ritual of blessings,” he added.
