SAN FRANCISCO—The SFPD indicated in a news release on Tuesday, January 14 about a blessing scam that is impacting the Chinese Community, as they should be on alert for blessing scams following several recent cases in which criminals stole approximately $374,000 in cash and property from victims.
The cases, which began in late November 2024 and have continued into January 2025 involve Chinese-speaking perpetrators preying on the kindness and beliefs of vulnerable community members. The suspects claim to provide relief from a curse or illness of family members through “purification ceremonies” in which they instruct victims to place cash and valuables into a bag to be “blessed.” The scammers tell the victims to open the bag at a later date in order for the “blessing” to take effect.
When the victims finally open their bags, and discover their valuables were switched, the suspects are gone. Similar cases have occurred for years in San Francisco with criminals often coming to the city around the holidays and Lunar New Year to take advantage of victims.
“These crimes against our most vulnerable community members are unacceptable, and we are working diligently to identify the suspects and bring them to justice,” said SFPD Chief Bill Scott. “As we continue investigating these crimes, we want our community members to stay vigilant to prevent blessing scams by continuing to talk to one another daily and working with SFPD to report these crimes.”
The recent series involves at least seven cases. They include:
-November 23, 2024 when criminals stole $90,000 in cash and property from a 69-year-old woman in the Bayview District.
-November 24, 2024 when criminals stole $40,000 in cash and property from a 75-year-old woman in the Taraval District.
-December 12, 2024 when criminals stole $70,000 in cash and property from a 79-year-old woman in the Bayview District.
-December 14, 2024 when criminals stole $14,000 in cash and property from a 72-year-old woman in the Central District.
-December 16, 2024 when criminals stole $91,000 in cash and property from a 69-year-old woman in the Central District.
-December 17, 2024 when criminal stole $7,000 in cash and property from a 69-year-old female in the Ingleside District
-January 2, when criminals stole $62,000 in cash and property from a 77-year-old female in the Richmond District.
The SFPD is working closely with the victims, law enforcement partners, and community groups to hold perpetrators accountable and to prevent these crimes from occurring.
The SFPD held recent meetings with the community and law enforcement partners to develop new strategies to prevent blessing scams. The SFPD is asking friends and family members to discuss daily activities and encounters with one another to raise awareness, identify red flags, and report all suspicious activities.
The SFPD and the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office (SFDA) are working closely with community stakeholders who have provided valuable input in how to protect one another from falling victim to this type of scam:
-SFPD Community Engagement Division’s (CED) bilingual officers hold personal safety and scam awareness workshops with the community in the city to inform, educate, and support community members all year round.
-SFPD is working in partnership with the community to promote an ongoing safety campaign focusing on distribution of tote bags printed with safety information and SFPD safety tips.
-SFPD is working to update a current education video based on feedback from officers who have had experience working with crime victims and SFPD CED officers to strengthen community policing needs.
-SFPD CED officers proactively make connections with private and community entities to offer broader partnerships for further audience reach such as company office workers.
-SFPD CED works with scam victims on connecting with resources offered by SFDA and community-based organizations.
-SFPD CED officers and SFDA Victim Services Division staff work in collaboration to provide presentations to community members at community-based organizations and senior centers throughout the city.
Blessing Scam Safety Tips
-Be aware of strangers
-Do not easily believe what strangers say
-Keep a distance from strangers
-Do not follow strangers anywhere
-Do not let strangers touch you
-Do not withdraw money at banks with strangers
-Do not bring strangers home
-Be aware if strangers ask for money
-Before withdrawing large sums of money/ valuables, tell your family
Anyone with details is asked to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.
