A woman has been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into spiritual blessing scams targeting people of Asian background.
The alleged offenders generally targeted elderly Chinese women to exploit their cultural fears. As part of the deception, the women are convinced their families are at risk from spirits and need to have their wealth blessed to protect them from curse or illness.
In April 2025, the North West Metropolitan Region established Strike Force Sentinel to investigate ‘Chinese blessing scams’ across Sydney since July 2023.
Do not open
The women are deceived by the perpetrators 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.
80 incidents
To date, police have received reports for over 80 incidents across Sydney, including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta and Hornsby areas, with more than $3 million in cash and valuables stolen.
Following extensive inquiries by strike force detectives, about 7.15pm Thursday, 3 July 2025, a 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport with the assistance of Australian Federal Police.
She was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and demand property in company with menaces with intent to steal.
Police will allege in court that the woman was involved in defrauding a 77-year-old woman of a large sum of money and jewellery at Parramatta last month.
The woman was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court today Friday, 4 July 2025.
Be alert to SCAMs
As investigations under Strike Force Sentinel continue, police warn the Sydney community to be alert and to assist with the identification of a scam, provided the following advice:
- Beware of people you don’t know and can’t identify seeking access to money and valuables,
- Beware of people asking for directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer.
- Do not follow people you have just met to a doctor or healer
- Do not continue conversation with strangers and leave the location
- Do not bring strangers home
- Do not hand over money, jewellery, or valuable items to stranger, and
- Do not put money or jewellery in a bag for any blessing ritual.
Anyone who may have been victim of a ‘blessing scam’ is urged to make a report to police. All reports are managed in a confidential manner and police use tools such as Language + App for a more effective communication with non-English speaking victims.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
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