‘Pack of hyenas’: $130,000 gone in moments in a chilling scam you should watch out for
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It’s a story that’s as shocking as it is heartbreaking: a sophisticated scam targeting some of our most vulnerable community members has swept through Sydney, leaving devastation in its wake and robbing families of more than $3 million.
Dubbed the 'Chinese blessing scam', this criminal operation preys on elderly women—often those with limited English—using fear, cultural beliefs, and cunning deception to steal life savings and treasured jewellery.
How the ‘Chinese Blessing Scam’ Works
The scam is as insidious as it is calculated. Typically, a group of scammers—often women—approach an elderly Chinese woman in a public place, such as near a shopping centre.
They strike up a conversation, sometimes asking for directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer. Before long, the conversation turns to talk of bad luck, illness, or a curse threatening the victim’s family.
The scammers then offer a 'solution': a spiritual blessing ritual that will supposedly protect the victim and her loved ones. The catch? The victim must bring her most valuable possessions—cash, jewellery, and other treasures—to be 'blessed'.
The items are placed in a bag, which is then secretly swapped for a bag filled with worthless objects. The victim is told not to open the bag for weeks or even months, or else risk bringing misfortune upon her family.
NSW Police have released fresh CCTV footage as investigations continue into what they describe as a disturbing pattern of 'Chinese blessing scams' that have allegedly cost Sydney victims more than $3 million.
This development follows the arrest of two individuals this week, including a woman accused of swindling $130,000 from a 77-year-old.
Detectives are now focusing on a separate case from October 21, 2024, involving a 73-year-old woman who was allegedly approached by three strangers near a shopping centre on Patrick Street, Blacktown, and persuaded to hand over tens of thousands of dollars' worth of jewellery.
The investigation, led by Strike Force Sentinel, has now linked over 80 similar reports across Sydney suburbs including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta, and Hornsby.
'Police are appealing for public assistance as an investigation into spiritual blessing scams targeting people of Asian background continue,' NSW Police said in a statement.
The newly released footage shows three women surrounding a fourth woman, who appears to remove her jewellery and pass it to them.
One suspect is described as being of Asian appearance, possibly in her 40s, with her hair tied in a ponytail. She was last seen wearing a dark red crew neck shirt and black pants.
The second woman is believed to be in her 50s, with grey hair, and of Asian appearance. She wore a caramel-coloured bucket hat, a matching jacket, dark pants, and carried a black backpack.
The third suspect, said to be in her 30s with a fair complexion and shoulder-length black hair, was last seen in a white round-neck shirt, black pants, and a black shoulder bag.
Police allege the scam specifically targets elderly Chinese women, exploiting cultural beliefs to convince victims that their families are in danger and require spiritual intervention—usually at a high financial cost.
'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,' NSW Police said.
As part of the ongoing investigation, a 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport on Thursday. She is accused of being involved in a June incident where a 77-year-old woman was defrauded of cash and jewellery totalling $130,000.
Detective Superintendent Guy Magee told reporters that the woman was charged with multiple offences, including 'dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception,' 'participate criminal group contribute criminal activity,' and 'demand property in company with menaces with intent to steal.' She was refused bail and was set to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Friday.
The following day, police arrested a second suspect, a 63-year-old man, at Brisbane Airport just as he attempted to leave the country.
'Just this morning at 8am, a 63-year-old male was arrested (while) trying to leave via Brisbane Airport back to China,' Superintendent Magee said. 'NSW Police will seek his extradition on Monday.'
According to Magee, police have identified 25 individuals by name, with another 25 still being sought. They’ve issued 11 arrest warrants so far. 'Some are onshore, some are offshore,' he said. 'There is one in New Zealand in custody at the moment, who is serving a sentence for that offending.'
Source: BBC World Service / Youtube.
He described the suspects as 'FIFO criminals'—organised groups who fly in and out of Australia to carry out scams. 'They’re organised crime that fly in for short periods of time, up to 20 occasions over two years,' he said. 'They’ll fly in, they’ll prey on the vulnerable in their own community. They’ll capitalise on the vulnerabilities of that community around superstition.'
Magee called the scams 'quite heartbreaking,' especially when watching CCTV footage of how the alleged offenders surround their targets. 'It’s a robbery by stealth,' he said. 'These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian older females. They swarm like a pack of hyenas to be frank.'
He explained that the scammers often convince victims they are cursed or plagued with bad luck and then offer spiritual 'blessings' to protect them—requiring them to hand over their valuables.
'They will convince them to go and speak to a spiritual healer, to go to their home and retrieve their life savings, all their jewellery – I’m talking hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time,' Magee said.
'They’ll convince (the alleged victims) to put (their belongings) into a bag. They will convince them that it’s been blessed, and they’ll tell them not to open that bag for a period of time – up to months. And if they do (open the bag), they will come across bad fortune,' he added.
Magee acknowledged the emotional toll these scams take on victims. '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,' he said.
He also revealed that the suspects appear to operate in highly coordinated teams. 'They definitely are organised, even to the point where we know for a fact that it’s like a role-play,' he said. 'There’s nothing by chance in what they do. They all have deliberate roles.'
Authorities are urging the public—particularly members of the Chinese-Australian community—to remain alert and follow safety precautions.
'Beware of people you don’t know and can’t identify seeking access to money and valuables,' police said. '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 strangers, and do not put money or jewellery in a bag for any blessing ritual.'
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a 'blessing scam' is encouraged to report it to police.
Have you or someone you know been approached by scammers like these? Do you have tips for protecting yourself or your loved ones from similar cons? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!
Dubbed the 'Chinese blessing scam', this criminal operation preys on elderly women—often those with limited English—using fear, cultural beliefs, and cunning deception to steal life savings and treasured jewellery.
How the ‘Chinese Blessing Scam’ Works
The scam is as insidious as it is calculated. Typically, a group of scammers—often women—approach an elderly Chinese woman in a public place, such as near a shopping centre.
They strike up a conversation, sometimes asking for directions to a Chinese herbal doctor or spiritual healer. Before long, the conversation turns to talk of bad luck, illness, or a curse threatening the victim’s family.
The scammers then offer a 'solution': a spiritual blessing ritual that will supposedly protect the victim and her loved ones. The catch? The victim must bring her most valuable possessions—cash, jewellery, and other treasures—to be 'blessed'.
The items are placed in a bag, which is then secretly swapped for a bag filled with worthless objects. The victim is told not to open the bag for weeks or even months, or else risk bringing misfortune upon her family.
Police allege that 'Chinese blessing scams' have defrauded Sydneysiders of more than $3 million, mainly targeting elderly women of Asian background by exploiting cultural fears through elaborate deception. Image source: BBC World Service / Youtube.
NSW Police have released fresh CCTV footage as investigations continue into what they describe as a disturbing pattern of 'Chinese blessing scams' that have allegedly cost Sydney victims more than $3 million.
This development follows the arrest of two individuals this week, including a woman accused of swindling $130,000 from a 77-year-old.
Detectives are now focusing on a separate case from October 21, 2024, involving a 73-year-old woman who was allegedly approached by three strangers near a shopping centre on Patrick Street, Blacktown, and persuaded to hand over tens of thousands of dollars' worth of jewellery.
The investigation, led by Strike Force Sentinel, has now linked over 80 similar reports across Sydney suburbs including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta, and Hornsby.
'Police are appealing for public assistance as an investigation into spiritual blessing scams targeting people of Asian background continue,' NSW Police said in a statement.
The newly released footage shows three women surrounding a fourth woman, who appears to remove her jewellery and pass it to them.
One suspect is described as being of Asian appearance, possibly in her 40s, with her hair tied in a ponytail. She was last seen wearing a dark red crew neck shirt and black pants.
The second woman is believed to be in her 50s, with grey hair, and of Asian appearance. She wore a caramel-coloured bucket hat, a matching jacket, dark pants, and carried a black backpack.
Mungnee, Chinese blessing scam victim. Image source: BBC World Service / Youtube.
The third suspect, said to be in her 30s with a fair complexion and shoulder-length black hair, was last seen in a white round-neck shirt, black pants, and a black shoulder bag.
Police allege the scam specifically targets elderly Chinese women, exploiting cultural beliefs to convince victims that their families are in danger and require spiritual intervention—usually at a high financial cost.
'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,' NSW Police said.
As part of the ongoing investigation, a 63-year-old woman was arrested at Sydney International Airport on Thursday. She is accused of being involved in a June incident where a 77-year-old woman was defrauded of cash and jewellery totalling $130,000.
Detective Superintendent Guy Magee told reporters that the woman was charged with multiple offences, including 'dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception,' 'participate criminal group contribute criminal activity,' and 'demand property in company with menaces with intent to steal.' She was refused bail and was set to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Friday.
The following day, police arrested a second suspect, a 63-year-old man, at Brisbane Airport just as he attempted to leave the country.
'Just this morning at 8am, a 63-year-old male was arrested (while) trying to leave via Brisbane Airport back to China,' Superintendent Magee said. 'NSW Police will seek his extradition on Monday.'
According to Magee, police have identified 25 individuals by name, with another 25 still being sought. They’ve issued 11 arrest warrants so far. 'Some are onshore, some are offshore,' he said. 'There is one in New Zealand in custody at the moment, who is serving a sentence for that offending.'
Source: BBC World Service / Youtube.
He described the suspects as 'FIFO criminals'—organised groups who fly in and out of Australia to carry out scams. 'They’re organised crime that fly in for short periods of time, up to 20 occasions over two years,' he said. 'They’ll fly in, they’ll prey on the vulnerable in their own community. They’ll capitalise on the vulnerabilities of that community around superstition.'
Magee called the scams 'quite heartbreaking,' especially when watching CCTV footage of how the alleged offenders surround their targets. 'It’s a robbery by stealth,' he said. 'These offenders swarm these vulnerable victims, usually Asian older females. They swarm like a pack of hyenas to be frank.'
He explained that the scammers often convince victims they are cursed or plagued with bad luck and then offer spiritual 'blessings' to protect them—requiring them to hand over their valuables.
'They will convince them to go and speak to a spiritual healer, to go to their home and retrieve their life savings, all their jewellery – I’m talking hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time,' Magee said.
'They’ll convince (the alleged victims) to put (their belongings) into a bag. They will convince them that it’s been blessed, and they’ll tell them not to open that bag for a period of time – up to months. And if they do (open the bag), they will come across bad fortune,' he added.
Magee acknowledged the emotional toll these scams take on victims. '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,' he said.
He also revealed that the suspects appear to operate in highly coordinated teams. 'They definitely are organised, even to the point where we know for a fact that it’s like a role-play,' he said. 'There’s nothing by chance in what they do. They all have deliberate roles.'
Authorities are urging the public—particularly members of the Chinese-Australian community—to remain alert and follow safety precautions.
'Beware of people you don’t know and can’t identify seeking access to money and valuables,' police said. '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 strangers, and do not put money or jewellery in a bag for any blessing ritual.'
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a 'blessing scam' is encouraged to report it to police.
Have you or someone you know been approached by scammers like these? Do you have tips for protecting yourself or your loved ones from similar cons? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!
