Police say 'FIFO criminal' syndicate is behind spiritual blessing scams
Share this @internewscast.com

A woman has been charged over an alleged spiritual blessings scam that deliberately targeted Sydney’s Asian community.

Police have been investigating the alleged crime syndicate since April this year, and believe it has been operating across Sydney since July 2023.

Investigators believe offenders fly into the country from China to target the Australian-Chinese community. 

A woman was arrested at Sydney Airport and has been charged over an alleged spiritual blessing scam targeting the Asian community. (NSW Police)

Detective Superintendent Guy Magee said police had identified at least 50 offenders linked to the syndicate, which he called “highly organised”.

“They are best described as FIFO criminals; they fly in for a short period of time and prey on the community,” Magee said.

“It’s actually quite heartbreaking when you watch the footage, these offenders swarm like a pack of hyenas, to be frank.”

The scam purportedly targets elderly Chinese women by exploiting their cultural fears, informing them that their families are at risk from spirits and advising them to have their wealth blessed to shield them from curses or illnesses.

The women are deceived into taking the group to their home and handing over a bag of their valuables to be blessed.

A woman has been charged over an alleged spiritual blessings scam targeting Sydney's Asian community.
A woman has been charged over an alleged spiritual blessings scam targeting Sydney’s Asian community. (Getty)

Once the alleged scammers have their money and jewellery, they swap them out for items of no value.

“They convince them that (the wealth) has been blessed and they tell them not to open that bag, and if they do it’ll bring bad fortune, ” Magee said.

“Unfortunately, when they do open the bags, they come to find their money and jewellery are not in there.”

They seem to randomly pick victims on site, Magee said. 

NSW Police have received reports of over 80 victims throughout Sydney, including areas such as Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta, and Hornsby, with more than $3 million in cash and valuables allegedly stolen.

Investigations into the alleged scam led police to arrest a 63-year-old woman at Sydney International Airport at 7:15 PM yesterday, with assistance from the AFP.

Magee said she was re-entering the country to allegedly commit more scams. 

The man was arrested at Sydney Airport.
Investigations into the alleged scam led police to arrest a 63-year-old woman at Sydney International Airport at 7.15pm yesterday, with the help of the AFP. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Police will allege that the woman defrauded a 77-year-old woman out of $130,000 in cash and jewellery at Parramatta last month.

She was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception, participating in a criminal group and other stealing offences.

Another 63-year-old man was arrested at Brisbane Airport this morning, trying to get on a plane heading to China.

Magee also said one member of the syndicate was in custody in New Zealand.

Police believe the entire East Coast was targeted in the scam, and say they think the number of victims impacted is double what they know about.

“I have no doubt this is under-reported, anecdotally I think the offending is at least double what we think,” Magee said.

“I really do call on those victims that feel embarrassed or shamed that please don’t be, come forward, let us stand alongside you.

“We also implore the younger generation of these asian communities to please talk to them about this scam, bring it to their attention, they should never take a stranger back to their house under any circumstances.”

The woman was refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court today. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Syed Prottoy was in the back passenger seat and his two friends were in the front when their Mazda swerved off a road near Yankalilla on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula at about 3.30pm today.

Cellphone Technology Notifies Emergency Responders of Fatal Morning Accident

A young international student who died in a car crash early this…
Mollie Sylvester Schaffer had been married to her husband, Randy, for 57 years when the Houston couple travelled to an annual get-together with friends on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas.

Heroic Teenager Who Aided Family’s Van Escape Tragically Dies in Texas Floods

Mollie Sylvester Schaffer had been married to her husband, Randy, for 57…

Tour de France: Jonathan Milan Clinches Stage Eight Victory, While Australian Kaden Groves Falls Short

Jonathan Milan has won stage eight of the Tour de France in…
Stevens is making the documentary with Hollywood star Eric Bana.

Documentary Footage of Hollywood Actor and AFL Star Stolen by Thieves

Footage for a forthcoming football documentary has been taken from actor Eric…
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino has told people he is considering resigning amid a major clash between the FBI and Justice Department over the continued fallout from the release of the Jeffrey Epstein memo

FBI Deputy Director Bongino Weighs Resignation Following Epstein Files Controversy

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is contemplating stepping down due to a…

Air India Crash Investigation: Jet Engines Lost Fuel Supply Shortly Before Accident

In a tragic accident involving an Air India flight, which crashed soon…

Murujuga Rock Art Gains World Heritage Status Amid Ongoing Concerns

Environmentalists express concern that expanding a gas project might endanger an ancient…
Two groups were fighting with knives and machetes on the rooftop car park outside the Hoyts cinema.

Father of Two Fatally Shot by Police Following Alleged Dispute with Wife

Authorities received reports of a brawl in the parking lot at Westfield…
Trump 'blows up rules', hands down huge new tariffs

Trump Disregards Regulations, Imposes Significant New Tariffs

President Donald Trump has declared imposing tariffs of 30 percent on the…

Trump Accuses Reporter of Being ‘Very Evil’ Over Texas Flood System Inquiry

United States President Donald Trump has lashed out at a reporter during…
Receipts and a tax return.

Why Experts Advocate for Increasing a Less Favored Australian Tax

To most people, $80 billion is an extraordinary amount of money. Where…
Fire ants found in Toowoomba

Fire Ants Invade Queensland Mine, Prompting Statewide Eradication Efforts

A major fire ant outbreak has broken out at a BHP coal…