Two individuals have been apprehended in Australia for executing ‘Chinese blessing scams,’ preying on the deeply held cultural beliefs of elderly Asian women.
At a Glance
● New South Wales (NSW) Police have arrested two people in connection with a sophisticated “spiritual blessing scam” targeting elderly Asian women.
● The scams have defrauded over 80 victims in Sydney of more than $3 million in cash and valuables.
● The perpetrators are described as organized “fly in, fly out” criminals who travel to Australia specifically to commit these crimes.
● Authorities are urging community members to be vigilant and to warn elderly relatives about the scam.
A Cruel “Blessing” Scam Targeting the Elderly
Police in Sydney, Australia, have arrested two members of a criminal syndicate that has been preying on elderly Asian women through a cruel and elaborate “spiritual blessing scam.”
The fraudsters have stolen more than $3 million in cash and jewelry from over 80 victims since the beginning of the year.
The scam involves a well-rehearsed, three-person operation. The criminals approach an elderly woman in public, tell her that she or a family member is under a curse, and then introduce a supposed “spiritual healer” who can remove it. They convince the victim to place all her valuables in a bag to be “blessed,” but in a sleight-of-hand trick, they swap the bag with an identical one filled with worthless items like newspaper and bottles of water.
“Fly In, Fly Out” Criminals
New South Wales Police describe the perpetrators as organized “fly in, fly out” (FIFO) criminals.
Police have issued a new warning over a spiritual blessing scam targeting Sydney's Chinese community, which has seen a collective $3 million swindled from alleged victims so far. https://t.co/xnCb01O98V
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) July 4, 2025
These are not local residents but members of international syndicates who travel to Australia on temporary visas with the sole purpose of committing these crimes before quickly fleeing the country.
“These are evil, predatory people,” Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman of the NSW Police said in a statement. “They prey on people’s trust and spiritual beliefs to steal their life savings.” Police have now issued arrest warrants for at least 11 other suspects believed to be involved in the syndicate.
A Community on High Alert
The scammers specifically target elderly women from Chinese and other Asian backgrounds, exploiting their cultural beliefs and the fact that they often keep significant amounts of cash and gold jewelry at home. Many victims are too embarrassed to report the crime, so authorities believe the true scale of the fraud is likely much larger.
“It is a targeted, planned, and very well-rehearsed scam,” Superintendent Fileman explained in a report from SBS News. Community leaders are urging families to speak with their elderly relatives about the scam to prevent further victimization. Police have arrested a 63-year-old woman and a man who was intercepted at Brisbane airport, representing a significant breakthrough in the case.
