Elderly women allegedly lose over $150,000 over exorcism scam
- Replies 10
In today's world, scams continue to evolve, targeting unsuspecting individuals with increasingly elaborate schemes.
While many may think we could spot a con, these fraudsters often exploit trust and vulnerability in the most chilling ways.
In a disturbing turn of events, a group of elderly women in Box Hill, Melbourne, have been preyed upon by a scam that's as sinister as it is unusual.
The scam, which has seen these vulnerable members of our community lose more than $150,000, involved a group of fake exorcists who claim to rid people of dangerous spirits.
The scam operates on fear and superstition, targeting those more susceptible to such beliefs.
The scammers approach their victims on the streets, weaving an elaborate narrative of doom and gloom, convincing them that they or their family members are being followed by evil spirits.
Once the scammers have instilled enough fear, they offer a so-called solution to the problem: an exorcism.
The victims are instructed to gather a significant amount of money and valuable jewellery and place them in a bag for the scammers to 'pray over'.
The ritual promises to banish the spirits and protect their families. However, the only thing that disappears is the victims' valuables.
The elderly women are told not to open the bag for a certain period, only to find, when they finally do, that their money and jewellery have been stolen.
Victoria Police are actively investigating these heinous acts, which occurred on Station St in Box Hill on three separate occasions: 26 November at 10 a.m., 4 December at 9:45 a.m., and later the same day at 1:55 p.m.
In their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, they have released images of three women and two men believed to be connected to the scam.
If you or someone you know has any information that could assist in the investigation, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Your information could be vital in preventing these scammers from causing further harm.
Furthermore, we encourage our community to engage in open conversations about such scams.
If you or someone else is a victim of a scam, you may report it to Scamwatch here.
You can also head to our Scam Watch forum to stay updated with the latest tricks scammers use to deceive people of their money and sensitive details.
Have you or someone you know ever encountered a scam like this? Share your experiences in the comments below.
While many may think we could spot a con, these fraudsters often exploit trust and vulnerability in the most chilling ways.
In a disturbing turn of events, a group of elderly women in Box Hill, Melbourne, have been preyed upon by a scam that's as sinister as it is unusual.
The scam, which has seen these vulnerable members of our community lose more than $150,000, involved a group of fake exorcists who claim to rid people of dangerous spirits.
The scam operates on fear and superstition, targeting those more susceptible to such beliefs.
The scammers approach their victims on the streets, weaving an elaborate narrative of doom and gloom, convincing them that they or their family members are being followed by evil spirits.
Once the scammers have instilled enough fear, they offer a so-called solution to the problem: an exorcism.
The victims are instructed to gather a significant amount of money and valuable jewellery and place them in a bag for the scammers to 'pray over'.
The ritual promises to banish the spirits and protect their families. However, the only thing that disappears is the victims' valuables.
The elderly women are told not to open the bag for a certain period, only to find, when they finally do, that their money and jewellery have been stolen.
Victoria Police are actively investigating these heinous acts, which occurred on Station St in Box Hill on three separate occasions: 26 November at 10 a.m., 4 December at 9:45 a.m., and later the same day at 1:55 p.m.
In their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, they have released images of three women and two men believed to be connected to the scam.
These are the images of the suspects linked to the exorcism scam. Credit: Victoria Police
If you or someone you know has any information that could assist in the investigation, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Your information could be vital in preventing these scammers from causing further harm.
Furthermore, we encourage our community to engage in open conversations about such scams.
If you or someone else is a victim of a scam, you may report it to Scamwatch here.
You can also head to our Scam Watch forum to stay updated with the latest tricks scammers use to deceive people of their money and sensitive details.
.png){kind=icon}
so they can then believe in bad spirits.
