Chinese scammers in London have stolen over £140,000 from other Chinese residents using a ‘blessing scam’.
Scammers have stolen over £140,000 in cash and jewellery in a series of scams targeting Chinese residents of London since January.
At least 15 victims have been identified so far.
The scammers appear to be targeting older Cantonese-speaking Chinese residents.
Police estimate that the scammers have stolen a total of £141,500. A mix of £78,000 in cash and £63,500 in jewellery.
The scammers operate in a group of three women. The first approach the victim, asking if they know about a Chinese healer that operates nearby. They know someone who is sick and needs help. Next, the second appears. They act as a random passerby who approaches and say they have heard of the healer. They offer to lead the group there.
After arriving at a quiet side street, the third scammer appears. They act as the relative of the healer offering to help. They then state the victim or someone they know is in danger, adding specific details about the victim to make it sound more believable.
Finally, the ‘healer’s relative’ offers that the healer can add a blessing to gold and cash to prevent this from happening.
After handing over cash and jewellery, the relative takes it to the healer and then returns after a short while to return it. However, someone has switched the victim’s gold and cash out for random items.
By the time they realise that someone has stolen their valuables and money, the scammers have already left.
The metropolitan police have issued a call to help identify the believed scammers.
DC Paulo Roberts who is leading the investigation said: “These incidents left the victims incredibly shaken and we know it has caused huge concern within the Chinese community.”
“I want to assure local people that extensive enquiries have been conducted, and our work is still ongoing. The images we have are good quality and I am sure there is someone out there who will recognise these individuals.”
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