Police in San Francisco are cautioning Chinese residents to exercise additional caution after thieves in recent months took about $400,000 from elderly people in alleged “blessing scams.”
The scammers, who often operate over the holidays and Lunar New Year, were the subject of a police alert on Tuesday.
“These crimes against our most vulnerable community members are unacceptable, and we are working diligently to identify the suspects and bring them to justice,” said Police Chief Bill Scott in a statement. “As we continue investigating these crimes, we want our community members to stay vigilant to prevent blessing scams by continuing to talk to one another daily and working with SFPD to report these crimes.”
Officers believe that the Chinese-speaking suspects use so-called “purification ceremonies” to cure a family disease or curse, instructing victims to put money and valuables in a bag to be “blessed.” In order for the “blessing” to occur, scammers instruct their victims to unzip the bag later.
The victim finds their valuables have been exchanged when they open the bag.
“Every year, bad actors target individuals of our community and prey on vulnerable people, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. We will apprehend those who conduct crimes against our neighbors, and these scams are illegal,” Mayor Daniel Lurie declared.
Police said in Tuesday’s statement that at least seven thefts involving approximately $374,000 in cash and valuables had occurred since Nov. 23. The victims of the attacks, which occurred in various parts of the city, were in their 60s and 70s.
Photos of possible suspects were also made public by the police.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins stated, “Blessing scams are not new and are becoming increasingly brazen.” “These despicable scams rob innocent victims of their hard-earned money and also take their dignity as well, as victims often feel deep shame.”
The community received a number of tips from the police, including:
Watch out for strangers.Keep your distance from strangers and don’t believe all they say.Never follow strangers around.Keep strangers away from you.Never take out cash from a bank with a stranger.Never bring strangers home.If someone asks for money, be wary.Inform your relatives before taking out sizable quantities of cash or valuables.
Anyone with information on these cases can text a tip to 411, starting the message with SFPD, or call the SFPD’s anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444. A dedicated tip line is available for Cantonese speakers at 1-855-737-3847 or 415-553-9212.
You can also phone dispatch at 415-553-0123 and ask an officer to take a report, or you can report at any SFPD.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.