Forget crystal balls and fortune tellers; there’s a new scam in town, and it’s a lot less mystical than it seems. In Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, a group of “blessing” scammers is targeting elderly women with tales of curses and evil spirits. But don’t let the theatrics fool you—this is a cruel and calculated con that has stolen over $200,000 from unsuspecting victims.
A syndicate of scammers in Melbourne's Box Hill area is targeting older Asian women, claiming they are cursed and need their valuables blessed to remove evil spirits. Victims hand over bags of cash and jewelry for “blessing rituals,” only to receive decoy bags in return.
How It Works
- The scammers approach elderly women, warning them of a curse or evil spirit following them.
- They convince the victims to gather all their valuables, claiming these must be “blessed” to remove the curse.
- During the ritual, the scammers swap the valuables with a decoy bag filled with useless items.
- The victim only realizes they’ve been duped when they open the bag at home.
Who’s Targeted?
- Primarily older Asian women in the Box Hill area of Melbourne.
- Similar scams have been reported in the UK, Canada, the US, Hong Kong, and other parts of Australia, including NSW and WA.
Real-Life Example
On three separate occasions in late 2024, victims in Box Hill were scammed out of their valuables, including cash and jewelry, with losses exceeding $200,000. Police suspect the group is part of an international syndicate, with similar cases reported in 2018.
Impact and Risks
Why You Should Care
- Financial Devastation: Many victims lose their life savings and priceless jewelry.
- Emotional Manipulation: The scammers prey on cultural beliefs and fears, making it emotionally taxing for victims to report or recover.
- Reputation of Safety: Such scams erode trust within communities, especially among vulnerable populations.
How to Protect Yourself
- Educate Loved Ones: Make elderly family members aware of this scam, especially if they frequent areas like Box Hill.
- Question Unsolicited Approaches: If someone warns you about curses or spirits, walk away immediately.
- Don’t Hand Over Valuables: Never give money or valuables to strangers, even if they seem to have good intentions.
- Verify Claims: Contact local authorities or a trusted family member if approached with such a story.
Quick Tips & Updates
- Quick Tip #1: "Did you know? Blessing scams often target cultural and spiritual beliefs to exploit trust and fear."
- Quick Tip #2: "Pro Tip: Encourage your loved ones to stay in groups when visiting public areas and avoid engaging with strangers offering unsolicited advice or help."
These blessing scams are a stark reminder of how far fraudsters will go to exploit vulnerabilities. By staying vigilant and spreading the word, we can protect our communities from falling victim to these cruel cons.
Key Terms Explained
- Blessing Scam: A type of fraud where scammers claim to “bless” valuables to remove curses but instead steal them.
- Syndicate: An organized group involved in coordinated criminal activities.
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