Man, 62, charged as police allege Sydneysiders lost $3m to ‘spiritual blessing scam'
Police allege those involved in the scam targeted elderly Chinese women and exploited their cultural fears, convincing them their families were at risk from spirits and they needed to have their wealth blessed to protect them from curse or illness.
'Once the (alleged) 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 to not open the bags for an extended time,' NSW Police said in a statement.
Police say the alleged scam dates back to July 2023.
Since police began investigating in April, they have received more than 80 reports from across Sydney – including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta, and Hornsby – with more than $3m in cash and valuables alleged to have been stolen.
A 62-year-old man was arrested by Australian Federal Police officers at Brisbane Airport on Friday and has since been extradited to NSW.
Last week, Detective Superintendent Guy Magee said the man was arrested while attempting to flee to China.
'Just this morning at 8am, a male was arrested (while) trying to leave via Brisbane Airport back to China,' he said on Friday.
He was brought to Sydney on Tuesday and charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and demand property in company with menaces with intent to steal.
It's alleged he was involved in the defrauding of a 77-year-old of a large sum and jewellery in Parramatta last month.
He was refused bail and is expected to front Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
Police are also searching for seven others in connection to the scam, issuing warrants for their arrest.
They are searching for Yuefen Su, a 51-year-old woman of Asian appearance, about 150cm tall with long black hair and brown eyes.
Police are also searching for Yueping Wen, a 50-year-old woman of Asian appearance, with shoulder length curly black hair and brown eyes.
There is a an outstanding arrest warrant for Xiaokun Gu, a 55-year-old woman of Asian appearance, with dark brown hair and brown eyes.
Police are also searching for Xuebing Chen, a 55-year-old woman of Asian appearance, with shoulder length curly black hair and brown eyes.
An outstanding arrest warrant has been issued for Zuping Huang, a 55-year-old man of Asian appearance, with short black hair and brown eyes.
Police are searching for Mingzhen Liu, a 71-year-old woman of Asian appearance, with short curly brown hair and brown eyes.
They are also searching for Weining Ren, a 39-year-old woman of Asian appearance, with long black hair and brown eyes.
Superintendent Magee told reporters last week the alleged scammers were 'FIFO criminals', flying in and out of Australia in an attempt to defraud a vulnerable community.
He described the alleged offenders as working like a 'pack of hyenas'.
'It's a robbery by stealth,' he said. 'These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian older females.
'They swarm like a pack of hyenas to be frank.'
He explained the scammers were 'capitalising' on their 'own culture' by convincing the alleged victims they had 'come across bad luck'.
'They will convince them to go and speak to a spiritual healer, to go to their home and retrieve their life savings, all their jewellery – I'm talking hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time,' Superintendent Magee told reporters.
'They'll convince (the alleged victims) to put (their belongings) into 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 (open the bag), they will come across bad fortune.'
Police have urged the public to be vigilant of the alleged scammers and to avoid following people to a doctor or letting strangers into a home.
'Beware of people you don't know and can't identify seeking access to money and valuables,' they said.
'Beware of people asking for directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer.
'Do not follow people you have just met to a doctor or healer. Do not continue conversation with strangers and leave the location.
'Do not bring strangers home.
'Do not hand over money, jewellery, or valuable items to stranger, and do not put money or jewellery in a bag for any blessing ritual.'
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