Latest news with #StrikeForceSentinel
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
'Chinese blessing scam': Two arrested in Australia for scamming elderly Asian women; rob them of cash, jewellery
Representative image credits: NSW police force Two people were arrested in Australia in connection with a 'Chinese blessing scam' that defrauded a 77-year-old woman in Sydney out of cash and jewellery worth 130,000 Australian dollars (about $85,000 USD). These arrests come amid a broader investigation into a wave of similar scams, which have been reported globally for the past 25 years in countries including the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand. A 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport on Thursday following an in-depth investigation by Strike Force Sentinel, a special unit formed in April to investigate the scam. The following day, her alleged accomplice, also 63, was taken into custody at Brisbane Airport as he attempted to board a flight to China. Authorities say he is likely to face charges soon. These scams commonly target elderly Asian women. Victims are typically led to someone posing as a spiritual healer, who instructs them to place their money and valuables into a bag. They are then told not to open the bag for several weeks or even months. When they finally do, they find the contents missing. 'It's a robbery by stealth. These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian, older females. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cervecería Nacional CFD: Calcula cuánto podrías ganar invirtiendo solo $100 Empieza a invertir hoy Empieza ahora Undo by Taboola by Taboola They swarm like a pack of hyenas,' reported CNN quoting New South Wales police detective superintendent Guy Magee. Strike force sentinel has received around 80 reports involving the alleged theft of 3 million Australian dollars ($2 million USD). Police believe about 50 people are involved in the scam network, with 25 identified by name and 11 arrest warrants issued so far. Surveillance footage has also captured 25 other suspects taking part. Magee noted that the crime is likely 'profoundly underreported,' with many victims feeling embarrassed or ashamed. He believes the real number of cases could be double the current estimates. A similar case occurred in New Zealand last year, where three Chinese nationals were arrested while trying to leave the country. Police said they arrived in October and, within days, targeted elderly victims, stealing around 30,000 New Zealand dollars ($18,000 USD) in cash and jewellery. NSW Police are urging community members to be cautious of strangers asking for directions to herbal doctors or spiritual healers, and advised people not to bring strangers home, not to hand over valuables, and never to participate in any ritual involving the 'blessing' of money or jewellery.
SBS Australia
a day ago
- SBS Australia
Two charged in spiritual blessing scams
Two charged in spiritual blessing scams Published 4 July 2025, 7:08 am Two people have been charged after allegedly targeting people of Asian background in spiritual blessing scams. New South Wales Police set up Strike Force Sentinel in April following reports the scams had been taking place across parts of Sydney since July 2023. The scammers are accused of exploiting the community's cultural fears before tricking them into handing over money and valuables.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Two arrested over ‘Chinese blessing scams' targeting elderly Asian women in Australia
Two alleged fraudsters accused of swindling an elderly woman out of tens of thousands of dollars in cash have been arrested by Australian police investigating a spate of 'Chinese blessing scams.' Chinese blessing scams have been reported worldwide for the last 25 years or so, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. Offenders typically target elderly Asian women and convince them that a member of their family is cursed or in danger. Victims are told the only way to ward off negative spirits is to have their wealth blessed. '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. A 63-year-old woman was detained at Sydney International Airport Thursday after 'extensive inquiries' by Strike Force Sentinel, a special task force formed in April to investigate 80 reports of the scams, involving the alleged theft of 3 million Australian dollars ($2 million). She's been charged with a number of offenses. Her alleged accomplice, a 63-year-old man, was detained Friday at Brisbane Airport as he attempted to leave Australia on a flight to China. He's expected to be charged soon. Detective Superintendent Magee said Friday the alleged perpetrators of Chinese blessing scams are targeting the entire east coast of Australia. '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. Typically, the elderly victim is taken to someone purporting to be a spiritual healer, who tells them to put their money and valuables in a bag. '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. And if they do, they will come across bad fortune,' said Magee. 'Unfortunately, the victims are opening those bags to find their money and jewelry is simply not in there. It's disgraceful.' The two suspects arrested this week are accused of defrauding a 77-year-old woman of cash and jewelry worth 130,000 Australian dollars ($85,000) in the western Sydney suburb of Parramatta in June. NSW Police say they believe 50 people are involved in the scam, and they've identified 25 suspects by name. Another 25 people have been seen on camera allegedly taking part. 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,' said Magee. He said police believe the crime is 'profoundly underreported' due to the victims' embarrassment and shame about being conned. The number of cases is 'probably double' police estimates, he added. Last November, New Zealand Police arrested three Chinese nationals as they attempted to leave the country on flights to China after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars. Police allege the trio arrived in the country that October and within days started targeting elderly members of the community. The alleged scammers conned two victims out of about 30,000 New Zealand dollars ($18,000) in cash and jewelry, police said in a statement. A 'substantial amount' of money was retrieved, they added. NSW Police issued advice to the community to beware of people asking directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer. 'Do not bring strangers home,' the advice said. Do not hand any valuables to strangers and 'do not put money or jewellery in a bag for any blessing ritual,' it added.
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sky News AU
Police in Sydney issue new warning as Chinese spiritual blessing scam losses increase to $3 million across the city
New South Wales Police have issued a warning to Sydney's Chinese community as a new scam ripples across the city. The spiritual blessing scams, which have targeted Chinese communities in other cities around the world, has seen Sydneysiders lose a combined total of $3 million. Police on Friday shared details about how the scam works, which generally targets elderly Chinese women. "The women are deceived and once the scammers are in possession of their money and valuables including jewellery, the items are swapped with items of no value and the women are encouraged not to open the bags for an extended time," police said. The scam works when a person, usually an Australian of Chinese descent, is stopped by a passerby asking for directions to a Chinese herbal or traditional medicine store before claiming their alleged victim or family is possessed by an ancient spirit. Cultural fears are then exploited by convincing the alleged victims their families are at risk, and demanding money to protect them from illness or curses. The alleged scammers then convince the alleged victim to follow them to their home and will swap the contents of their bag to items of lesser value, but tell their victim not to open the bag for a prolonged period. In April, police launched Strike Force Sentinel to investigate reports of the scams across the Greater Sydney area, including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta and Hornsby. To date, they have received more than 80 reports of alleged scams, with more than $3 million in cash and valuables stolen. At 7.15pm on Thursday, a 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport in relation to an alleged blessing scam. Police allege the woman was involved with defrauding a 77-year-old woman out of $130,000 in cash, as well as jewellery, in Parramatta in June. She was taken to Mascot Police Station where she was charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, participating in a criminal group contributing to a criminal activity and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal. The woman was refused bail and is set to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Friday. Detective Superintendent Guy Magee said a 63-year-old man was also arrested at 8am on Friday at Brisbane Airport while attempting to travel to China. "NSW Police will seek his extradition on Monday," Det Supt Magee said. Det Supt Magee said the alleged offenders are "best described as FIFO criminals" who fly in and out of Australia to "prey on the vulnerable in their own community". "They're organised crime that fly in for short periods of time, up to 20 occasions over two years," he said. "They'll fly in, they'll prey on the vulnerable in their own community. They'll capitalise on the vulnerabilities of that community around superstition. "It's actually quite heartbreaking when you watch the footage, particularly when you know what is going to occur." Police have warned the community "to be alert" to the scams and beware of strangers seeking access to money and valuables. "Beware of people asking for directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer," police said. "Do not follow people you have just met to a doctor or healer. Do not continue conversation with strangers and leave the location."
CNN
a day ago
- CNN
Two arrested over ‘Chinese blessing scams' targeting elderly Asian women in Australia
Two alleged fraudsters accused of swindling an elderly woman out of tens of thousands of dollars in cash have been arrested by Australian police investigating a spate of 'Chinese blessing scams.' Chinese blessing scams have been reported worldwide for the last 25 years or so, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. Offenders typically target elderly Asian women and convince them that a member of their family is cursed or in danger. Victims are told the only way to ward off negative spirits is to have their wealth blessed. '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. A 63-year-old woman was detained at Sydney International Airport Thursday after 'extensive inquiries' by Strike Force Sentinel, a special task force formed in April to investigate 80 reports of the scams, involving the alleged theft of 3 million Australian dollars ($2 million). She's been charged with a number of offenses. Her alleged accomplice, a 63-year-old man, was detained Friday at Brisbane Airport as he attempted to leave Australia on a flight to China. He's expected to be charged soon. Detective Superintendent Magee said Friday the alleged perpetrators of Chinese blessing scams are targeting the entire east coast of Australia. '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. Typically, the elderly victim is taken to someone purporting to be a spiritual healer, who tells them to put their money and valuables in a bag. '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. And if they do, they will come across bad fortune,' said Magee. 'Unfortunately, the victims are opening those bags to find their money and jewelry is simply not in there. It's disgraceful.' The two suspects arrested this week are accused of defrauding a 77-year-old woman of cash and jewelry worth 130,000 Australian dollars ($85,000) in the western Sydney suburb of Parramatta in June. NSW Police say they believe 50 people are involved in the scam, and they've identified 25 suspects by name. Another 25 people have been seen on camera allegedly taking part. 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,' said Magee. He said police believe the crime is 'profoundly underreported' due to the victims' embarrassment and shame about being conned. The number of cases is 'probably double' police estimates, he added. Last November, New Zealand Police arrested three Chinese nationals as they attempted to leave the country on flights to China after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars. Police allege the trio arrived in the country that October and within days started targeting elderly members of the community. The alleged scammers conned two victims out of about 30,000 New Zealand dollars ($18,000) in cash and jewelry, police said in a statement. A 'substantial amount' of money was retrieved, they added. NSW Police issued advice to the community to beware of people asking directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer. 'Do not bring strangers home,' the advice said. Do not hand any valuables to strangers and 'do not put money or jewellery in a bag for any blessing ritual,' it added.
