NEWS: BEWARE: The Spiritual Blessing Con Game

I noticed a NYPD flyer posted to some shop windows when I visited Flushing, Queens/NYC and checked it out further. Apparently Chinese elderly people are targeted by 1-3 Chinese females scamming the victims by saying they are looking bad, perhaps posessed by evil spirits or something. You and I won't fall for that ruse in all likelihood, but the elderly may. Just shows what scammers can and are willing to do to fleece good people of their possessions.


Although this specific scam is perpetrated by Chinese women targeting the Chinese elderly, it behooves us to have some kind of system in place in handling our dealings with strangers. Check out these 2 articles if you haven't already for a general framework. These should be part of your SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and ROE (Rules of Engagement):

• SELF-DEFENSE: Southnarc (aka Craig Douglas) - Managing Unknown Contacts
• SELF-DEFENSE: Lee Aldridge - Handling "Stranger" Confrontations: A 12Step Plan to Success

We must also pass on this information to the elderly and set up their 'defenses'. Many times we are only thinking about our personal safety or of others IF they are with us... we need to extend that out to your parents/grandparents/friends who may be elderly and easier prey for predators.



The NYPD has issued this brochure.

Text below:

NYPD

RAYMOND W. KELLY

Police Commissioner

BEWARE:
THE SPIRITUAL BLESSING CON GAME

THE SCAM UNFOLDS LIKE THIS:

The spiritual blessing con game is a scam that targets elderly women, primarily from the Chinese community. Theperpetrators are typically Chinese women who approach potential victims on the street and engage them in conversation. The perpetrator will convince her victim that he or she is being followed by evil spirits and that bad luck or illness will befall the victim or members of his or her family. The con artist then tells her victim that she will help, but only if the victim brings all of her valuables (money and jewelry) to a meeting place where her belongings will be placed into a “good luck” bag for three days. Unfortunately, when the victim opens the bag she will discover that all of her money and jewelry have been removed and replaced with valueless items.

AVOID FALLING VICTIM TO THIS CRIME, PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING TIPS:

• Don’t believe strangers who say they can remove bad luck or evil spirits.
• Don’t hand your valuables over to strangers.
• Perpetrators are Mandarin or Cantonese speaking females 30 - 40 years of age, working in groups of three (3).
• If you are approached by such a person, or people, call 911 immediately!
• If you have any information that may help the police regarding these incidents, please call Crime Stoppers @ 1-800-577-TIPS

Stay Safe!

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My other blogs on Scammers:

• The Story of Mr. & Mrs. Stickgrappler (suckas) vs. the Slick Car Salesman on Superbowl Sunday
• SELF DEFENSE: Gavin de Becker's Gift of Fear in action
• SCAM ALERT: Deliveries and Social Engineering