Community Rally Against 'Blessing Scams' Targeting Vulnerable Chinese Elderly

Scammers are deceiving older Chinese women across the UK, US, Australia, and Canada into giving up valuables by fabricating emergency situations involving their loved ones. Victims like Mungnee share chilling experiences, while local advocates work tirelessly to raise awareness and pursue justice.

Scammers are increasingly targeting vulnerable members of Chinese communities, employing an elaborate scheme known as "blessing scams" that manipulates spiritual beliefs to rob elderly individuals of their valuables. Recent cases from regions including the UK, US, Australia, and Canada have raised alarms as police commence investigations into these elaborate cons.

The scams typically involve three women who approach their victim in public places, feigning distress and creating an emotional atmosphere. This strategy was employed on Mungnee, a Chinese Malaysian woman in her sixties, who encountered a distraught stranger seeking help for a sick husband. Drawn in by empathy and her own spiritual convictions, Mungnee was led to believe she could help the stranger by locating a healer.

Once the setup was established, Mungnee was told by the so-called healer’s associate that her son was in grave danger, which compelled her to offer her valuables for a blessing. Under the manipulation of the scammers, she readily handed over £4,000 in cash and family heirlooms, believing they would be protected. However, upon returning home, she discovered the bag contained only a brick and other insignificant items, leaving her shocked and devastated.

This pattern of deception has impacted numerous victims, all echoing similar narratives with consistent elements—such as recurring names like 'Mr Koh' for the healer and shared emotional tactics. Anqi Shen, a law professor and former police officer, highlights the link to deep-rooted spiritual traditions among Chinese communities which can make these scams particularly effective, as victims often equate material possessions with protective power.

In response to the ongoing threats, activists like Tuyet van Huynh are mobilizing communities. After her mother was scammed, she launched campaigns on social media to share awareness and gather information. Her efforts uncovered additional incidents across various UK towns, prompting her to seek out surveillance footage that could provide insights into how such scams are executed.

While some victims remain convinced about how the con artists pulled them into their scheme, Tuyet suspects drugs like Scopolamine, or "Devil's Breath," could play a role, although there’s no solid evidence yet linking such substances to these scams. This potential connection highlights how vulnerable these victims are, and complicates efforts for law enforcement to apprehend scammers.

As law enforcement issues warnings and works to investigate these crimes, victims' families are stepping up their conviction to reclaim their lost assets and justice. Mungnee and Tuyet’s mother have reported their experiences to local police, who are looking into patterns of crime across different regions. The determination of the affected families reflects a collective push against such exploitation within their communities, emphasizing the need for vigilance in tackling these deceitful acts.