[Source]
An increasing number of Chinese communities in Britain are falling victim to ‘lucky blessing’ scams, exploiting cultural beliefs and fears. The scam mainly targets older Chinese women and has previously been reported in cities in the US, Australia and Canada.
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Modus operandi: The blessing scam is a carefully planned street crime in which a group of women act out a scripted drama in Cantonese, preying on the unsuspecting victim. A BBC report highlighted the case of Mungnee, a Chinese Malaysian woman in her 60s, who was approached by a crying woman claiming her husband was ill and needed a traditional healer. The woman offered to take Mungnee to the healer, who later told her that her son was in danger of dying within three days and that only a blessing could save him. The women convinced Mungnee to give them her valuables and promised to return them after the blessing. However, Mungnee was shocked when he returned home to find nothing but worthless items in the bag.
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The elderly remain vulnerable: The scam is believed to be part of a centuries-old tradition of street crime exploiting spiritual beliefs. Many of the older victims have lost their savings and valuable possessions and are left with feelings of guilt and helplessness. Authorities in major cities including San Francisco and Sydney have issued warnings, but despite several reports, the police investigation has yielded few arrests.
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