SUPERNATURAL scammers have fleeced at least $200,000 from their elderly victims in an elaborate plot claiming to rid them of evil spirits.
Police say a group of travelling con artists are targeting elderly Asian women in Melbourne’s East, as part of an international “blessings” scam, which may spread to other states.
It is alleged the women in the group convince the victims that there is a demon spirit following them and that they or a family member is in danger.
The only way to help the victim rid themselves of the spirits, they claim, is to go home and retrieve money and jewellery and bring it back so it can be prayed over.
When the victim returns they are told to close their eyes while the group prays over the bag, and exchanges the money and jewels for another heavy item.
The victim is told not to look in the bag until they get home and, when they finally do, they find their valuables have been stolen.
Detective Senior Constable Adam Stafford said one of the three victims of the “cruel scam”, which originated in Hong Kong and China, lost valuables worth more than $150,000 – their life savings.
Two others lost as much as $50,000 combined – and there could be more victims who are yet to come forward.
“It’s quite embarrassing for the victims, a lot of these instances are probably being under reported for that reason,” Det Stafford told reporters.
Det Stafford said the victims were aged in their late 70s and 80s and police believe the scammers may be part of a travelling syndicate, with similar incidents reported in NSW.
Police are already increasing patrols in the area and have sent out warnings in Asian languages.
