“Blessing Scam” Targeted Elderly Chinese Women Across Sydney

Two people have been arrested after more than $3 million of cash and valuables were allegedly stolen from elderly Chinese women in a “blessing scam” that has been running across Sydney for more than two years.

63-year-old Yuee Ruan was arrested at Sydney International Airport on Thursday evening, in relation to a scam that allegedly defrauded a 77-year-old woman of more than $130,000 in Parramatta last month.

Ruan was taken to Mascot Police Station where she was charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception, contributing to the criminal activity of a group and demanding property in company with menace and intent to steal.

She was refused bail and is set to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Friday.

A 63-year-old male was also arrested in relation the case on at Brisbane Airport on Friday morning, while attempting to leave for China. Police are seeking his extradition on Monday.

Police have identified a further 25 people “by name”, and are seeking to identify another 25.

“Robbery by stealth”

Police will allege at least 80 instances of the scam since 2023, which targeted elderly Chinese women, exploiting their cultural fears to convince them to had over money and valuables.

The scammers approach the women and convince them they need to have their money or valuables blessed to protect them or their loved from from malevolent spirits.

“The women are deceived and once the scammers are in possession of their money and valuables including jewellery, the items are swapped with items of no value and the women are encouraged not to open the bags for an extended time,” police said.

Strike Force Sentinel was launched by police in April after reports of the scams came in from across Sydney, including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta, and Hornsby

Detective Superintendent Guy Magee described the offenders as “FIFO criminals”, flying into the country for short periods of time.

“They’ll fly in, they’ll prey on the vulnerable in their own community.”

“It’s a robbery by stealth,” he said. “These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian older females.”

Anyone who may have been victim of a similar scam is urged to make a report to police.

“Come forward, let us stand alongside you and between us we can stand between those offenders and the next victims,” Superintendent Magee said.

“I … also implore the younger generation of these Asian communities whose parents and grandparents, where English isn’t their strength, to please talk to them about this scam, bring it to their attention.”

Police are warning the public to be hyper vigilant of scammers and to avoid following people to a doctor or healer, and letting strangers into their homes.