TORONTO — Police are warning the public after an elderly woman was targeted in a distraction theft that allegedly led to her to believe she had been “cursed.”
Police said a Chinese woman was approached by three unknown women in the Gerrard Street East and Logan Avenue area on Saturday at about 2:30 p.m.
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The suspects then allegedly began speaking in Cantonese to the woman about various health ailments and encouraged her to tell them about hers.
Police said they began discussing her health issues and allegedly convinced her that her illnesses were the result of a curse and that she should see a “doctor” who could bless her and remove it.
The elderly woman was then instructed to go home and return with a large amount of money, in addition to gold coins and jewelry.
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She then handed over the valuables to one of the women and was told to wait while the valuables were blessed, police said.
The bag was then allegedly returned to her by one of the women, who police said told the senior not to open or the items would “lose their blessing.”
As the elderly woman walked away, police said she became suspicious and checked the bag only to discover that all of the valuables had been taken and replaced by fruit.
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Police said the three unknown female suspects had already left the area when the woman had made the realization.
The suspects are described by police as :
- Asian woman in her mid-40s, wearing a long red coat, jeans and a hat.
- Asian woman in her mid-40s wearing a short red coat.
- Asian woman, no further description.
Investigators believe there may be other potential victims and are reminding the public that they do have translators available to speak with those who need them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto police or Crime Stoppers.
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