SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The San Francisco Police Department is specifically warning the city’s Chinese community about a recent scam. Police said a total of $374,000 in cash and possessions has been stolen from residents in recent months from this “blessing” scam.
The scam involves suspects who speak Chinese languages telling victims that they can provide relief from a curse or illness affecting family members, according to a description by SFPD. They tell victims to put cash and valuables into a bag to be “blessed.” The scammers then switch out the valuables and tell the victims to open the bag at a later date so the “blessing” can take effect.
By the time the victims realize what happened, they have lost contact with the suspects.
SFPD says scams like this have happened in San Francisco for years. They often involve criminals coming into the city from out of town around Lunar New Year and Christmas. Elderly victims are often targeted.
“Blessing scams are not new and are becoming increasingly brazen,” said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “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 scams have been going on since November and have carried into January, SFPD said. At least seven cases have been reported:
- Nov. 23: 69-year-old woman lost $90K of cash and property in the Bayview District
- Nov. 24: 75-year-old woman lost $40K of cash and property in the Taraval District
- Dec. 12: 79-year-old woman lost $70K of cash and property in the Bayview District
- Dec. 14: 72-year-old woman lost $14K of cash and property in the Central District
- Dec. 16: 69-year-old woman lost $91K of cash and property in the Central District
- Dec. 17: 69-year-old woman lost $7K of cash and property in the Ingleside District
- Jan. 2: 77-year-old woman lost $62K of cash and property in the Richmond District
SFPD included photos of various suspects (below).
SFPD has met with community members to prevent these scams from working. Police are warning residents to beware of strangers.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The San Francisco Police Department is specifically warning the city’s Chinese community about a recent scam. Police said a total of $374,000 in cash and possessions has been stolen from residents in recent months from this “blessing” scam. The scam involves suspects who speak Chinese languages telling victims that they can […]