By Hilary Whiteman, CNN
Brisbane, Australia (CNN) — In a significant crackdown on financial scams targeting the elderly, Australian authorities have apprehended two individuals linked to fraudulent activities known as “Chinese blessing scams.” These scams have reportedly occurred globally for about 25 years, impacting many communities including those in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand.
These scams specifically prey on older Asian women, misleading them into believing that a family member is afflicted by a curse or in a dire situation. Victims are manipulated into thinking their wealth must be blessed to fend off negative spirits.
“It’s a robbery by stealth. These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian, older females. They swarm like a pack of hyenas,” said New South Wales Police Detective Superintendent Guy Magee.
Recently, a 63-year-old woman was taken into custody at Sydney International Airport, following a thorough investigation by Strike Force Sentinel—a specialized task force established in April to address numerous reports of these scams. The task force is looking into around 80 cases involving an estimated theft of 3 million Australian dollars (approximately 2 million USD).
The suspect’s alleged accomplice, a 63-year-old man, was arrested at Brisbane Airport while preparing to board a flight to China. He is anticipated to face charges soon.
According to Detective Superintendent Magee, the scope of these scams extends along Australia’s east coast.
“They’ll fly in. They’ll prey on the vulnerable in their own community. They’ll capitalize on the vulnerabilities of that community around superstition,” he said.
Individuals targeted in these scams are often brought to those claiming to be spiritual healers, who deceive them into placing their money and valuables into a bag for “blessing.” Victims are then instructed to refrain from opening the bag for an extended period.
“They will convince them that it’s been blessed, and they’ll tell them not to open that bag for a period of time, up to months. If they do, they will come across bad fortune,” Magee explained.
Regrettably, upon eventually opening these bags, many victims discover that their money and valuables are missing. This has drawn significant concern among law enforcement.
The detained suspects are alleged to have swindled a 77-year-old woman of cash and jewelry valued at 130,000 Australian dollars (around 85,000 USD) in the western Sydney area of Parramatta in June. NSW Police believe that approximately 50 individuals may be connected to this scam, with 25 suspects already identified and another 25 captured on surveillance footage. Eleven arrest warrants have been issued.
“It’s like a role play. There’s nothing by chance in what they do; they all have deliberate roles,” Magee remarked.
The prevalence of these scams is believed to be underreported, largely due to victims’ embarrassment and shame surrounding their experiences. Detective Magee estimates that the actual number of victims could be twice as high as reported figures.
In a related incident last November, police in New Zealand arrested three Chinese nationals attempting to leave the country after allegedly defrauding elderly individuals of thousands of dollars. Within a short time of arriving, they targeted vulnerable members of the community, reportedly stealing around 30,000 New Zealand dollars (approximately 18,000 USD) in cash and valuables.
To protect potential victims, NSW Police have issued warnings to the community, advising caution towards strangers asking for directions to herbal doctors or spiritual healers. They urged people not to invite unfamiliar individuals into their homes and to avoid giving valuables to strangers or placing money in bags for blessing rituals.
