Latest news with #Magee
1News
3 days ago
- 1News
Man to face court over $3m Australian spiritual 'blessings' scam
Another person accused of being involved in a "fly-in, fly-out" syndicate leveraging cultural superstitions to scoop up cash and jewellery has been charged. The 62-year-old faces fraud and criminal group offences over his alleged role in the scam, which convinced the women to hand over money and valuables to be "blessed". They were told not to open bags meant to contain their valuables, which the alleged fraudsters had switched out. NSW police say it's the work of a "fly-in, fly-out" criminal syndicate. The scammers typically come to Australia from China for short stints to carry out the fraud, convincing older women that their money and belongings needed to be "blessed" to avoid bad luck, police claim. ADVERTISEMENT The man was arrested on Friday at Brisbane Airport and extradited to Sydney on Tuesday. This follows the arrest of a 63-year-old woman at Sydney Airport on Thursday night. A 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney Airport on Thursday night. (Source: NSW Police) Detective Superintendent Guy Magee said the scammers typically targeted older Asian women, exploiting cultural superstitions. "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," he told reporters following the woman's arrest. The alleged scammers convince victims that items in a bag have been blessed and tell them not to open it or they will face "bad fortune". "Unfortunately, the victims are opening those bags to find their money and jewellery is simply not in there," Det Supt Magee added. ADVERTISEMENT More than 50 individuals are believed to be connected to the scam across the east coast of Australia, with 11 arrest warrants issued. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Australian doctor speaks about first meeting with Erin Patterson, why Donald Trump's swearing about Vladimir Putin, and how science could bring the moa back. (Source: 1News) Police have received reports of more than 80 incidents across Sydney since 2023. They were trying to find a further seven people believed to be involved in the syndicate. The scams were believed to have netted $3 million in cash and valuables. Police have warned people to not hand over money or jewellery for blessing rituals. Others have been urged to keep watch on older family members with limited English and warn them they could be targets of the scam. ADVERTISEMENT The man would appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
Man to face court over $3m spiritual 'blessings' scam
Another person accused of being involved in a "fly-in, fly-out" syndicate leveraging cultural superstitions to scoop up cash and jewellery has been charged. The 62-year-old faces fraud and criminal group offences over his alleged role in the scam, which convinced the women to hand over money and valuables to be "blessed". They were told not to open bags meant to contain their valuables, which the alleged fraudsters had switched out. NSW Police say it's the work of a "fly-in, fly-out" criminal syndicate. The scammers typically come to Australia from China for short stints to carry out the fraud, convincing older women that their money and belongings needed to be "blessed" to avoid bad luck, police claim. The man was arrested on Friday at Brisbane Airport and extradited to Sydney on Tuesday. This follows the arrest of a 63-year-old woman at Sydney Airport on Thursday night. Detective Superintendent Guy Magee said the scammers typically targeted older Asian women, exploiting cultural superstitions. "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," he told reporters following the woman's arrest. The alleged scammers convince victims that items in a bag have been blessed and tell them not to open it or they will face "bad fortune". "Unfortunately, the victims are opening those bags to find their money and jewellery is simply not in there," Det Supt Magee added. More than 50 individuals are believed to be connected to the scam across the east coast of Australia, with 11 arrest warrants issued. Police have received reports of more than 80 incidents across Sydney since 2023. They are trying to find a further seven people believed to be involved in the syndicate. The scams are believed to have netted $3 million in cash and valuables. Police have warned people to not hand over money or jewellery for blessing rituals. Others have been urged to keep watch on older family members with limited English and warn them they could be targets of the scam. The man will appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- 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.
The Advertiser
04-07-2025
- The Advertiser
'Pack of hyenas': $3m blessing scam preys on elderly
A "fly-in, fly-out" criminal syndicate is allegedly behind an orchestrated spiritual blessing scam that has netted millions by preying on elderly women. Two people have already been arrested and dozens more are under investigation for swindling multiple victims. The scammers typically come to Australia from China for short stints to carry out the fraud, convincing older women their money and belongings need to be "blessed" to avoid bad luck, policy say. "These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian older females," NSW Police Detective Superintendent Guy Magee said on Friday. "They swarm like a pack of hyenas." A 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney Airport after arriving from China on Thursday night. She is accused of defrauding a 77-year-old woman out of about $130,000 in cash and jewellery. The woman has been charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, participating in a criminal group and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal. A man allegedly involved in the scam was arrested at Brisbane Airport while attempting to return to China. NSW Police will seek extradition on Monday. Police later revealed surveillance footage of an incident from October in the hope of identifying more members of the alleged scam syndicate. In the video, a group of three women approach a 77-year-old lady at Blacktown, in western Sydney, before allegedly convincing her to hand over jewellery worth tens of thousands of dollars. More than 50 individuals are believed to be connected to the sophisticated scam across the east coast of Australia, with 11 arrest warrants issued. It is the latest example of a scam aimed at people of Asian backgrounds, where alleged offenders "capitalise on the vulnerabilities of that community around superstition", Det Supt Magee 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." The alleged scammers convince victims that items in a bag have been blessed and tell them not to open it, or they will face "bad fortune". "Unfortunately, the victims are opening those bags to find their money and jewellery is simply not in there," Det Supt Magee added. Police have received reports of more than 80 incidents across Sydney since 2023. The scams allegedly netted $3 million in cash and valuables. It is alleged that men control the syndicate, with women playing a role in engaging the victims and encouraging them to hand over valuables. There are fears more crimes are going unreported due to shame and embarrassment. "Anecdotally, the offending is probably at least double what we think," Det Supt Magee said. Police have warned people to not hand over money or jewellery for blessing rituals. Others have been urged to keep watch on older family members with limited English and warn them they could be the target of the orchestrated scams. A "fly-in, fly-out" criminal syndicate is allegedly behind an orchestrated spiritual blessing scam that has netted millions by preying on elderly women. Two people have already been arrested and dozens more are under investigation for swindling multiple victims. The scammers typically come to Australia from China for short stints to carry out the fraud, convincing older women their money and belongings need to be "blessed" to avoid bad luck, policy say. "These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian older females," NSW Police Detective Superintendent Guy Magee said on Friday. "They swarm like a pack of hyenas." A 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney Airport after arriving from China on Thursday night. She is accused of defrauding a 77-year-old woman out of about $130,000 in cash and jewellery. The woman has been charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, participating in a criminal group and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal. A man allegedly involved in the scam was arrested at Brisbane Airport while attempting to return to China. NSW Police will seek extradition on Monday. Police later revealed surveillance footage of an incident from October in the hope of identifying more members of the alleged scam syndicate. In the video, a group of three women approach a 77-year-old lady at Blacktown, in western Sydney, before allegedly convincing her to hand over jewellery worth tens of thousands of dollars. More than 50 individuals are believed to be connected to the sophisticated scam across the east coast of Australia, with 11 arrest warrants issued. It is the latest example of a scam aimed at people of Asian backgrounds, where alleged offenders "capitalise on the vulnerabilities of that community around superstition", Det Supt Magee 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." The alleged scammers convince victims that items in a bag have been blessed and tell them not to open it, or they will face "bad fortune". "Unfortunately, the victims are opening those bags to find their money and jewellery is simply not in there," Det Supt Magee added. Police have received reports of more than 80 incidents across Sydney since 2023. The scams allegedly netted $3 million in cash and valuables. It is alleged that men control the syndicate, with women playing a role in engaging the victims and encouraging them to hand over valuables. There are fears more crimes are going unreported due to shame and embarrassment. "Anecdotally, the offending is probably at least double what we think," Det Supt Magee said. Police have warned people to not hand over money or jewellery for blessing rituals. Others have been urged to keep watch on older family members with limited English and warn them they could be the target of the orchestrated scams. A "fly-in, fly-out" criminal syndicate is allegedly behind an orchestrated spiritual blessing scam that has netted millions by preying on elderly women. Two people have already been arrested and dozens more are under investigation for swindling multiple victims. The scammers typically come to Australia from China for short stints to carry out the fraud, convincing older women their money and belongings need to be "blessed" to avoid bad luck, policy say. "These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian older females," NSW Police Detective Superintendent Guy Magee said on Friday. "They swarm like a pack of hyenas." A 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney Airport after arriving from China on Thursday night. She is accused of defrauding a 77-year-old woman out of about $130,000 in cash and jewellery. The woman has been charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, participating in a criminal group and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal. A man allegedly involved in the scam was arrested at Brisbane Airport while attempting to return to China. NSW Police will seek extradition on Monday. Police later revealed surveillance footage of an incident from October in the hope of identifying more members of the alleged scam syndicate. In the video, a group of three women approach a 77-year-old lady at Blacktown, in western Sydney, before allegedly convincing her to hand over jewellery worth tens of thousands of dollars. More than 50 individuals are believed to be connected to the sophisticated scam across the east coast of Australia, with 11 arrest warrants issued. It is the latest example of a scam aimed at people of Asian backgrounds, where alleged offenders "capitalise on the vulnerabilities of that community around superstition", Det Supt Magee 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." The alleged scammers convince victims that items in a bag have been blessed and tell them not to open it, or they will face "bad fortune". "Unfortunately, the victims are opening those bags to find their money and jewellery is simply not in there," Det Supt Magee added. Police have received reports of more than 80 incidents across Sydney since 2023. The scams allegedly netted $3 million in cash and valuables. It is alleged that men control the syndicate, with women playing a role in engaging the victims and encouraging them to hand over valuables. There are fears more crimes are going unreported due to shame and embarrassment. "Anecdotally, the offending is probably at least double what we think," Det Supt Magee said. Police have warned people to not hand over money or jewellery for blessing rituals. Others have been urged to keep watch on older family members with limited English and warn them they could be the target of the orchestrated scams. A "fly-in, fly-out" criminal syndicate is allegedly behind an orchestrated spiritual blessing scam that has netted millions by preying on elderly women. Two people have already been arrested and dozens more are under investigation for swindling multiple victims. The scammers typically come to Australia from China for short stints to carry out the fraud, convincing older women their money and belongings need to be "blessed" to avoid bad luck, policy say. "These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian older females," NSW Police Detective Superintendent Guy Magee said on Friday. "They swarm like a pack of hyenas." A 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney Airport after arriving from China on Thursday night. She is accused of defrauding a 77-year-old woman out of about $130,000 in cash and jewellery. The woman has been charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, participating in a criminal group and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal. A man allegedly involved in the scam was arrested at Brisbane Airport while attempting to return to China. NSW Police will seek extradition on Monday. Police later revealed surveillance footage of an incident from October in the hope of identifying more members of the alleged scam syndicate. In the video, a group of three women approach a 77-year-old lady at Blacktown, in western Sydney, before allegedly convincing her to hand over jewellery worth tens of thousands of dollars. More than 50 individuals are believed to be connected to the sophisticated scam across the east coast of Australia, with 11 arrest warrants issued. It is the latest example of a scam aimed at people of Asian backgrounds, where alleged offenders "capitalise on the vulnerabilities of that community around superstition", Det Supt Magee 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." The alleged scammers convince victims that items in a bag have been blessed and tell them not to open it, or they will face "bad fortune". "Unfortunately, the victims are opening those bags to find their money and jewellery is simply not in there," Det Supt Magee added. Police have received reports of more than 80 incidents across Sydney since 2023. The scams allegedly netted $3 million in cash and valuables. It is alleged that men control the syndicate, with women playing a role in engaging the victims and encouraging them to hand over valuables. There are fears more crimes are going unreported due to shame and embarrassment. "Anecdotally, the offending is probably at least double what we think," Det Supt Magee said. Police have warned people to not hand over money or jewellery for blessing rituals. Others have been urged to keep watch on older family members with limited English and warn them they could be the target of the orchestrated scams.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- 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.
