VANCOUVER Police say 13 blessing scams targeting elderly Chinese have resulted in victims losing more than $300,000 in cash, gold, and jewelry so far in 2026.
By this time last year, VPD had recorded six such incidents and about $200,000 in valuables stolen.
“The increase in incidents this year compared to last is deeply concerning to the VPD,” said Inspector Shiv Gill. “The criminals behind these scams use fear to manipulate very vulnerable people into handing over large sums of money. It’s cruel and it leaves victims and their families facing significant financial issues, not to mention the loss of cherished family heirlooms.”
Investigators believe the suspects behind these crimes operate internationally and the department is liaising with other police agencies on these files.
Criminals in these cases approach victims, engage them in conversation, and use deep-seated cultural fear and manipulation to make them believe a terrible misfortune or curse will befall them if they don’t have their valuables spiritually blessed.
Victims are typically escorted a few blocks away to meet another suspect who tells them to go home, gather up cash and jewelry and come back for the blessing.
The fearful victims do what they’re convinced they have to, and hand over their valuables. The criminals then use deception and sleight of hand to switch out the valuables for worthless items such as bags of cornstarch.
Victims often don’t realize they been scammed until the scammers are long gone.
Suspects in these cases are generally older Asian people.
More than half of these crimes in 2026 have occurred in east and southeast Vancouver. Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward.
The VPD previously shared video of a blessing scam in progress to help identify the suspects.
Investigators are now sharing additional video and images of suspects wanted in relation to a blessing scam that occurred on June 24 at approximately 1:45 p.m. The victim in this case was a 78-year-old woman who lost $23,282 and three pieces of jewelry to the scammers. The offence occurred in the 2500 block of E. 20th Avenue Vancouver.
The suspects are described as:
Suspect #1 – Asian female. Approximately 50 years of age, 160cm tall, with black hair and wearing a round sun hat, a grey jacket, white shirt, grey pants, a surgical mask and back support brace.
Suspect #2 – Asian male, approximately 60 years of age, 170 cm tall, wearing a grey baseball hat, dark coloured jacket, grey pants, carrying a black bag.
https://x.com/i/status/2080752046148554896
As VPD continue to investigate these cases, police are sharing the following tips to help keep the community safer:
- One or more strangers may approach you, and will speak your language.
- They may claim that your family will have misfortunes and say they can protect you.
- They may ask you to hand over money, jewelry, or valuables so they can “Bless” them.
- Do not give them anything. Trust your instincts, remember what they look like and walk away.
- Tell a family member right away and call 911 to report the incident to the police immediately.
VPD officers will be at Chong Lee Market (3818 Rupert Street) and T&T Supermarket (2206 Kingsway) this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. handing out flyers to the Chinese community to raise awareness. The public is encouraged to talk to them and share those flyers with their families and loved ones.
