SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Police Department has identified two suspects involved in connection to a “Blessing Scam” that has taken place throughout the Chinese community. According to the SFPD, the “Blessing Scam” is an ongoing series of scams that specifically targets older individuals of the Chinese community, resulting in large financial loss.
In the scam, the victim is approached by the first of three female Cantonese-speaking suspects. The first suspect asks the victim if she is aware of a doctor in the area because a family member has fallen severely ill. A second suspect later joins the conversation, where she notes that she knows a doctor, and persuades the victim to come with her to visit the doctor together.
On their way to visit the doctor, a third suspect approaches the group and acts like a fortune teller. She warns the victim that a loved one will be cursed or suffer some type of misfortune. In order to prevent the curse from taking place, the victim must present the fortune teller with valuables to be “blessed.”
Authorities warn that the suspects are able to convince the victim to bring valuables that include currency and jewelry to a nearby street, where a “blessing” is performed. Through sleight of hand, the suspects swap the victim’s possessions with another bag containing worthless items that is given back to the victim. The suspects warn the victim to not look in the bag for a distinct period of time, otherwise the “blessing” would be inactive.
The SFPD are currently investigating 4 incidents that have taken place in 2016. The first reported case occurred in the Richmond District in July, followed by two incidents in the Central District on August 5 and August 8, and the latest incident occurred in the Richmond District on August 9.
The SFPD Special Victim’s Fraud Unit has diligently investigated all four cases, and 2 suspects have been identified in the blessing scam. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Yiyuan Li, 57 and Jinqin Zhen, 48, on charges of theft from the elderly, grand theft of property and conspiracy. Both suspects conspired with two others to participate in the blessing scam in the Richmond District.
Li is a suspect in a similar case in New York, where she also has an arrest warrant in connection with a New York investigation. The SFPD is planning to continue to work and collaborate with the New York City Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security to ensure the suspects are apprehended.
The SFPD is encouraging anyone who has been a victim of this “blessing scam” crime and has not already reported it to authorities to do so. Members of the community can help stop this crime by keeping a close eye on their elders and talking to them about this scam.
If anyone has suspicions that they may be witnessing or have witnessed the scam please call the police. To report a crime, call 911; language services are available when you call 911. A Cantonese language tip line has been established for Cantonese speakers who may wish to provide information. The Cantonese Tip Line is (415) 553-9212.
In 2014, the SFPD produced a video to warn the community of this scam. To view the video, go to http://sanfranciscopolice.org/article/sfpd-remind-chinese-community-latest-scam-incidents.
