Elderly women tricked by 'blessing ritual', scammed out of millions of dollars
The 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport at 7.15pm on July 3 for her alleged involvement in a plot to steal money and jewellery from a 77-year-old woman in June.
Police allege she was returning to Australia to "further offend".
A 63-year-old man was arrested at Brisbane airport, allegedly attempting to fly to China, at 8am on July 4.
"NSW Police will seek his extradition on Monday," police said.
The arrests were part of an investigation into a Chinese blessing scam.
"Alleged offenders - generally targeting elderly Chinese women - exploit their cultural fears," police said.
Victims are told that their families are at risk from spirits and "need to have their wealth blessed to protect them from curse or illness", police said.
Scammers pretend to bless bags full of cash and valuables, while swapping them out for items of no value.
They encourage the victims not to open the bags for an extended period, police said.
There have been more than 80 reports, with $3 million in cash and valuables stolen, from victims in Sydney including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta and Hornsby.
The 63-year-old woman was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage - by deception, participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal.
She was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on July 4.
Police warned the community to be alert to scams seeking access to money and valuables, or people asking for directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer.
Anyone who may have been victim of a 'blessing scam' is urged to make a report to police. All reports are managed in a confidential manner and police use tools such as Language + App for a more effective communication with non-English speaking victims.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
Detectives investigating a multi-million-dollar spiritual blessing scam have arrested an alleged con artist who was attempting to return to the country.
The 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport at 7.15pm on July 3 for her alleged involvement in a plot to steal money and jewellery from a 77-year-old woman in June.
Police allege she was returning to Australia to "further offend".
A 63-year-old man was arrested at Brisbane airport, allegedly attempting to fly to China, at 8am on July 4.
"NSW Police will seek his extradition on Monday," police said.
The arrests were part of an investigation into a Chinese blessing scam.
"Alleged offenders - generally targeting elderly Chinese women - exploit their cultural fears," police said.
Victims are told that their families are at risk from spirits and "need to have their wealth blessed to protect them from curse or illness", police said.
Scammers pretend to bless bags full of cash and valuables, while swapping them out for items of no value.
They encourage the victims not to open the bags for an extended period, police said.
There have been more than 80 reports, with $3 million in cash and valuables stolen, from victims in Sydney including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta and Hornsby.
The 63-year-old woman was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage - by deception, participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal.
She was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on July 4.
Police warned the community to be alert to scams seeking access to money and valuables, or people asking for directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer.
Anyone who may have been victim of a 'blessing scam' is urged to make a report to police. All reports are managed in a confidential manner and police use tools such as Language + App for a more effective communication with non-English speaking victims.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
Detectives investigating a multi-million-dollar spiritual blessing scam have arrested an alleged con artist who was attempting to return to the country.
The 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport at 7.15pm on July 3 for her alleged involvement in a plot to steal money and jewellery from a 77-year-old woman in June.
Police allege she was returning to Australia to "further offend".
A 63-year-old man was arrested at Brisbane airport, allegedly attempting to fly to China, at 8am on July 4.
"NSW Police will seek his extradition on Monday," police said.
The arrests were part of an investigation into a Chinese blessing scam.
"Alleged offenders - generally targeting elderly Chinese women - exploit their cultural fears," police said.
Victims are told that their families are at risk from spirits and "need to have their wealth blessed to protect them from curse or illness", police said.
Scammers pretend to bless bags full of cash and valuables, while swapping them out for items of no value.
They encourage the victims not to open the bags for an extended period, police said.
There have been more than 80 reports, with $3 million in cash and valuables stolen, from victims in Sydney including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta and Hornsby.
The 63-year-old woman was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage - by deception, participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal.
She was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on July 4.
Police warned the community to be alert to scams seeking access to money and valuables, or people asking for directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer.
Anyone who may have been victim of a 'blessing scam' is urged to make a report to police. All reports are managed in a confidential manner and police use tools such as Language + App for a more effective communication with non-English speaking victims.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
Detectives investigating a multi-million-dollar spiritual blessing scam have arrested an alleged con artist who was attempting to return to the country.
The 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport at 7.15pm on July 3 for her alleged involvement in a plot to steal money and jewellery from a 77-year-old woman in June.
Police allege she was returning to Australia to "further offend".
A 63-year-old man was arrested at Brisbane airport, allegedly attempting to fly to China, at 8am on July 4.
"NSW Police will seek his extradition on Monday," police said.
The arrests were part of an investigation into a Chinese blessing scam.
"Alleged offenders - generally targeting elderly Chinese women - exploit their cultural fears," police said.
Victims are told that their families are at risk from spirits and "need to have their wealth blessed to protect them from curse or illness", police said.
Scammers pretend to bless bags full of cash and valuables, while swapping them out for items of no value.
They encourage the victims not to open the bags for an extended period, police said.
There have been more than 80 reports, with $3 million in cash and valuables stolen, from victims in Sydney including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta and Hornsby.
The 63-year-old woman was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage - by deception, participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal.
She was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on July 4.
Police warned the community to be alert to scams seeking access to money and valuables, or people asking for directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer.
Anyone who may have been victim of a 'blessing scam' is urged to make a report to police. All reports are managed in a confidential manner and police use tools such as Language + App for a more effective communication with non-English speaking victims.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
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