'Blessing scams' in Vancouver switch gold, cash for noodles, water bottles: VPD - CBC

Vancouver police say they are investigating a potential link in two separate 'blessing scam' incidents targeting seniors at bus stops. (Vancouver Police Department)Social SharingPolice in Vancouver are investigating two similar incidents of seniors being scammed out of thousands of dollars by being told their sons could be healed or saved through "blessing" valuables.

These "blessing scams" occurred a week apart, according to a Vancouver Police Department (VPD) news release issued Wednesday.

In the first incident on Oct. 16 around 1 p.m. PT, two Asian women approached an 81-year-old woman waiting at a bus stop on Victoria Drive near East 37th Avenue, police said.

They started talking, and the two women learned about the senior's sons.

"A short time later, a male suspect joined them and convinced the victim that her sons could be healed if her valuables were blessed," police said in the release.

The 81-year-old went home and collected about $7,000 in cash, a gold necklace and a ring and gave them to the man, police said. He handed back a bag containing instant noodles and water.

The victim's daughter later called police.

A week later, on Oct. 23 around 10:30 a.m. PT, an unidentified Asian woman approached a 79-year-old woman at a bus stop on Fraser Street and East 47th Avenue.

"A second woman wearing a mask and all black clothing joined them and told the victim that her youngest son would die if she didn’t bring her gold and money to be blessed by two men to get rid of bad spirits."

The woman in black rode the bus with the victim to her home to get her valuables. The two then returned to the area near 47th and Fraser.

The victim handed the men about $40,000 in cash and $50,000 in gold and jewelry.

"She then returned home and upon opening her backpack realized the money and valuables had been replaced by noodles and water bottles."

Police are asking anyone with information or CCTV or dashcam footage from the areas to call the VPD's non-emergency line.

In July, VPD said the number of blessing scams had about doubled over the same period of time last year. As of July 24, there had been 13 reports of blessing scams in Vancouver.

Police said in July that the scammers targeted "elderly Chinese victims," but on Wednesday did not specify the backgrounds of the victims in October's incidents.

Linda Yauk, the learning events and outreach co-ordinator at Seniors First B.C., said scammers know how to take advantage of people's vulnerabilities and can exploit cultural and religious beliefs.

"People are preying on those who are vulnerable, and it's really heartbreaking," Yauk said.

She suggested people keep an eye on their neighbours and friends, noting seniors can often experience loneliness and isolation.

"Our best defence against scammers is to be aware of these scams and to talk to other people about them so that we can recognize them and reject them," she said.

She encouraged people to ask questions when they're unsure about a situation.

"We might even be hesitant to ask because we might look foolish, but we have to get past that in order to stay safe," she said.

Yauk said seniors can access resources and support through the organization's seniors abuse and information line, which offers language interpretation services.