This scam, which has made headlines around the world for 25 years, targets elderly Asian women, plays on superstitions, and warns of family curses.
A 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport on Thursday after police investigations led them to connect her to a June incident in the suburb of Parramatta, in which a 77-year-old woman was swindled and lost 130,000 Australian dollars (roughly $85,000) in cash and jewels.
A second suspect, a 63-year-old man, was arrested at Brisbane Airport on Friday as he sought to board a flight to China. He is expected to face charges soon, authorities said.
A special unit, Strike Force Sentinel, which began in April) is now investigating 80 reports of the scams amounting to an overall estimated loss of 3 million Australian dollars ($2 million). Detective Superintendent Guy Magee of NSW Police said the crimes were “robbery by stealth”, and that those behind the attacks prey on older women, many of whom are vulnerable in their communities.
Scam Involves Superstition and Deception
The scammers usually tell the victims that a family member is cursed, the police said. The women are brought to someone purportedly offering spiritual healing and are convinced to put valuables in a bag to be “blessed.” Victims are advised not to open the bag for weeks or sometimes months so as not to break the spell and invite bad luck, only to find out later that their money and jewelry have disappeared.
“It’s disgraceful,” said Magee. “They prey on the vulnerable and take advantage of cultural beliefs around superstition.”
NSW Police believe about 50 people are participating in the scam along Australia’s east coast, with 25 already caught and 11 arrest warrants out. Surveillance footage has also captured another 25 people that police believe are involved. Magee referred to the op as an astutely well-organized one: “It is role playing. For what they do, there is nothing by accident.”
Many of the victims were believed to have kept silent out of shame or embarrassment, meaning the true number of cases may be double the figure reported by police.
International Pattern and Police Warning
There, as elsewhere, there have been similar incidents. Three Chinese nationals were taken into custody by the authorities in New Zealand last November as they attempted to leave the country after stealing thousands of dollars from elderly victims, according to the police there.
The suspects had been in the country for only a few weeks when they began focusing on the local Chinese community and bilking about 30,000 New Zealand dollars ($18,000) from victims. Most of the money was found.
NSW Police have released a public warning to residents to be wary of strangers seeking information on where local Chinese herbal doctors or spiritual healers can be found. They said never to take strangers home or give valuables away in return for any form of blessing.
Police are calling on anyone who may have been targeted to step forward as the inquiries continue.
