Victoria police are investigating after a woman was bilked out of $50,000 in a “blessing scam” that targets elderly Asian women and is rampant on the Lower Mainland.
The family of the victim, who is in her 80s and speaks only Chinese, went to police on Thursday to report the scam.
“Blessing scams” are elaborate frauds that prey on elderly Chinese people who maintain strong traditional cultural beliefs, said Victoria police spokesman Bowen Osoko.
Potential victims are approached on the street by the fraudsters, who persuade them that an evil spirit is following them and will harm their family unless a blessing ceremony is performed to remove the evil spirit.
In the ceremony, the victim is asked to place all of his or her money and valuables in a bag to be blessed. The bag is given back to the victim, and the person is instructed not to open it for several days.
They are also told not to tell family members or the blessing will not work and the demon or evil spirit will return. When the bag is finally opened, the valuables are no longer inside and the suspects are long gone.
Victoria police are worried others have been victimized and want to hear from anyone who has been contacted by these fraudsters.
“We know other people have been approached. We’re reaching out to local Chinese members of our community to ask them to help us,” said Victoria Police Chief Frank Elsner.
“We’re also specifically asking the children and grandchildren of the older Chinese members of our community: Please, talk with your family members and ask if they have been contacted by, or fallen victim, to these fraudsters. If they have, call us right away.”
Victoria police are working with the Inter-Cultural Association to have warnings translated into Chinese so that more people know about the scam, Elsner said. “What we’re trying to do is stop other people from becoming victimized.”
Lyon Chang, vice-president of the Victoria Chinatown Care Society, said the scam is disturbing. The society oversees the Victoria Chinatown Care Centre for seniors.
“Having somebody that preys on the more elderly, some of the pioneers in our community of the oldest Chinatown in all of Canada, it’s unthinkable.”
Victoria police financial crime investigators are trying to determine whether the local scam has any connection to similar frauds in Vancouver.
The blessing scam made headlines in Vancouver last week when three older women from China were arrested after an extensive cross-Canada investigation.
The women, believed to be carrying out the scam across the Lower Mainland in mid-July and early August, were arrested by Peel Regional Police as they tried to board a plane at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. Four victims came forward to Vancouver police, each defrauded out of $10,000 to $20,000 in cash and jewelry.
Victoria police are asking anyone who has been contacted by or knows someone who has been contacted by “blessing scam” fraudsters, or has any information, to call financial crimes section Det. Sgt. Derek Tolmie at 250-995-7309.
