A 62-year-old man has been charged as part of an investigation into ‘spiritual blessings scam’ which target Asian communities.
NSW Police said the man was arrested at Brisbane Airport on Friday, extradited to NSW, and charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
He is due to appear in court today.
The investigation into so-called ‘blessing scams’ started in April, and NSW Police said they had received reports for more than 80 incidents across Sydney, including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta and Hornsby areas, with more than $3 million in cash and valuables stolen.
Police will allege in court that the charged man was involved in defrauding a 77-year-old woman of a large sum of money and jewellery at Parramatta in June.
He was further charged with participating in criminal group activity and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal.
What are spiritual blessing scams?
Spiritual blessing scammers approach victims in public, often working in pairs or groups.
They may inquire if the person knows a spiritual healer and then intensify the discussion, warning them that their family is at risk and suggesting the need for a spiritual blessing.
Often they threaten that the person or their family will be seriously injured if they don’t have their wealth blessed.
They tell the victim they need to put their cash and jewellery in a bag and have the bag blessed by a spiritual healer.
The bag is then returned empty.
