Vancouver’s Chinese community is being warned about a new scam that is preying on vulnerable residents.
The Vancouver Police Department issued a public alert on the new blessing scam, which authorities said has resulted in elderly victims losing almost $150,000 in cash and jewellery in November.
The VPD is reminding the public to be vigilant and also asking any other victims to come forward.
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“We are working hard to identify the suspects in these scams, and are asking members of our Chinese community to be aware that they are happening,” said Cst. Megan Lui in a release. “We have had two reported cases in November, and there may be others that we don’t know about.
“In both cases, by the time the victims realized they had been scammed, the suspects had disappeared with their valuables.”
The first incident occurred on Nov. 16, when a 74-year-old woman walking in the Kensington-Cedar Cottage neighbourhood was approached by three Asian women.
The three women claimed to know a Feng Shui master who could offer wealth and prosperity, and convinced the women to go home with a bag and get money for a blessing.
“When the victim returned with $14,000 in the bag, the scammers performed a fake blessing, then switched the bag with a decoy, stealing the money,” explained the VPD. “They told the victim not to open the decoy bag right away, and it wasn’t until 11 days later that a family member realized the scam had taken place.”
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A second scam took place on Nov. 19, when three individuals approached an elderly woman near Victoria Drive and Kingsway.
The three scammers convinced the woman that they knew a miracle doctor who could guarantee her family’s health.
The woman and the suspect took transit to her bank, where she retrieved $120,000 in cash and jewellery from her safety deposit box.
A fake blessing was performed by the scammer, who then left with the victim’s money and items. Her grandson alerted police to the theft a week later.
Police added that in both Vancouver scam incidents, the suspects spoke the Chinese dialect of Toisan.
“We believe these cases are linked, and that there are likely others in the community who have been victimized,” explained Cst. Lui. “We’re encouraging people to have discussions with elderly family members to protect themselves from being scammed.”
VPD is asking any further victims to make a report on the non-emergency line at 604-717-3321. They are also reminding everyone that crimes in progress can be reported to 911.