Sydney rocked as $3m lost to alleged ‘Chinese blessing scams'

Daily Telegraph

04-07-2025

Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police have shared sickening new details of an alleged series of Chinese blessing scams, which have cost Sydneysiders a collective $3 million, after two people were arrested, including a woman who allegedly scammed a 77-year-old out of $130,000.
The scam allegedly targets elderly Chinese women and exploits their cultural fears by convincing them their families are at risk, and demanding money to protect them from illness or curses.
A 63-year-old woman has been charged over an alleged 'Chinese blessing scams' Picture: NSW Police
'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.
In April, police launched Strike Force Sentinel to investigate reports of the scams across the Sydney area, including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta and Hornsby areas.
NSW Police Strike Force Sentinel has received more than 80 reports of alleged scams, with more than $3m in cash and valuables stolen. Picture: NSW Police
To date, they have received more than 80 reports of alleged scams, with more than $3 million in cash and valuables stolen.
On Thursday, a 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport in relation to an alleged 'Chinese blessing scam'.
Police allege the woman was involved with defrauding a 77-year-old woman of a 'large sum of money and jewellery' in Parramatta in June.
Detective Superintendent Guy Magee told reporters on Friday the 77-year-old lost $130,000 worth of jewellery and cash in the alleged scam.
The 63-year-old woman was taken to Mascot Police Station where she was 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.
She was refused bail and is set to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Friday.
The woman was charged with numerous offences. Picture: NSW Police
On Friday, Superintendent Magee reporters police had arrested a second person in connection to the scams, who allegedly entered the country via Melbourne.
'Just this morning at 8am, a 63-year-old male was arrested (while) trying to leave via Brisbane Airport back to China,' Superintendent Magee said.
'NSW Police will seek his extradition on Monday.'
He said police had identified 25 people 'by name', are seeking to identify a further 25, and had taken out 11 arrest warrants.
'Some are onshore, some are offshore,' he said. 'There is one in New Zealand in custody at the moment, who is serving a sentence for that offending.'
He said the alleged offenders are 'FIFO criminals', flying in and out of Australia with the hopes of scamming the vulnerable 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.'
Superintendent Magee said it was 'quite heartbreaking' watching the footage of the alleged offenders making their mark.
'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.'
Police have warned the public of similar dangerous scams. Picture: NSW Police
Anyone who may have been victim of a 'blessing scam' is urged to make a report to police.
Superintendent Magee said the alleged scammers are 'capitalising' on their 'own culture' by convincing alleged victims that they've 'come across bad luck,' he said.
'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.
'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,' he said.
'Unfortunately, the (alleged) victims are opening those bags to find their money and jewellery is simply not in there.'
The woman allegedly scammed a 77-year-old out of $130,000. Picture: NSW Police
Superintendent Magee said he recognised the 'shame' and 'embarrassment' the alleged victims may feel by the scam, and urged them to come forward.
'Come forward, let us stand alongside you and between us we can stand between those offenders and the next victims,' he told reporters.
'I … also implore the younger generation of these Asian communities whose parents and grandparents, where English isn't their strength, to please talk to them about this scam, bring it to their attention.'
He said the alleged scammers work in 'organised' and 'orchestrated' groups and have 'deliberate roles'.
'They definitely are organised, even to the point where we know for a fact that it's like a role-play,' he said.
'There's nothing by chance in what they do. They all have deliberate roles.'
Police are working to identify a further 25 people allegedly involved in the scam. Picture: NSW Police
Police have urged the public to be hyper vigilant of scammers, and to avoid following people to a doctor or letting strangers inside 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,' they added.
'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.'
Originally published as 'Pack of hyenas': Sick details emerge as $3m lost to alleged 'Chinese blessing scams' in Sydney