SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Police Department are warning residents of the Chinese community about a telephone scam that is ongoing in the region.
A “robocall” scam is in play, where an automated call, falsely claiming to be from the Chinese Embassy, informs the recipient that they have a package being held for pickup.
According to a press release from the SFPD, when the person who has been called presses a prompt, he or she is asked to enter a credit card number to release the package. Investigators with the SFPD are informing recipients of these automated calls to hang up immediately without providing any personal information.
“The creators of these robocalls are attempting to take advantage of our City’s Chinese residents and businesses,” said SFPD Community Engagement Division Commander David Lazar. “We encourage the community to work closely with our officers to report crimes. Bilingual officers and language access services are available to help potential victims effectively communicate with us to put a stop to these types of scams.”
The robocalls are the latest in a series of scams that have targeted the Chinese community in recent years. The SFPD is providing several resources to help the public identify, report and protect themselves from potential scammers. Cantonese speakers can leave tips on a special tip line by calling (415) 553-9212 or 1-855-737-3847.
Another scam that has been consistent in the SF region since October 2014 involves a victim being approached by Cantonese-speaking suspects. The suspect tells the victim of a doctor who supposedly has the ability to cure a variety of diseases.
At this point, several other suspects approach the victim, with one of them acting as the doctor. This suspect tells the victim that she is suffering from an illness and under a curse that will adversely affect her loved ones. To relieve the curse, the victim must present the doctor with valuables to be “blessed.”
The suspects convince the victim to bring them a bag of valuables, consisting of currency and jewelry to a nearby street. A “blessing” is then performed. Through sleight of hand, another bag containing worthless items is given back to the victim. The victim is instructed not to look inside the bag for a specified amount of time or the “blessing” would be invalidated.
Authorities are urging all members of the Chinese community to be suspicious of strangers claiming to provide relief from a curse or who those who provide “purification” ceremonies in which cash and valuable items must be offered as part of the process.
Anyone who is confronted by scammers or anyone who knows of an elder who was approached by scammers is strongly advised to contact police. Reports can be made at any SFPD District Station or by calling Dispatch at (415) 553-0123 and requesting an officer to take a report.
Information can also be received via the Anonymous Tip Line at (415) 575-4444 or via Text a Tip by texting a message to TIP411 and beginning the message with SFPD. Links to public service announcement videos on scams targeting the Chinese community: www.sanfranciscopolice.org/blessingscam.
