New South Wales Police have charged a 63-year-old woman as part of an ongoing investigation into “spiritual blessing scams” specifically targeting elderly Chinese women.

The scam, according to NSW police, involves perpetrators convincing victims that their families are “at risk from spirits and need to have their wealth blessed to protect them from curse or illness.” 

Once scammers are in possession of valuables, such as money or jewelry, these are replaced by items of no value, in bags which victims are told not to open for extended periods of time.

Over 80 incidents of this type have been reported across Sydney in areas such as Ryde, Burwood and Hornsby.

Image: NSW Police