Vancouver Police are making a national appeal for the owners of jewelry stolen in “blessing scams” to come forward.
Police say five Chinese nationals were arrested at Vancouver International Airport on July 15. They were on their way out of Canada with suitcases full of stolen jewelry and $138,000 in cash when they were stopped by CBSA officers.
The five Chinese nationals are Huo Youjun, Lin Xiaoqiong, Luo Shaoqiong, Wu Jianmei and Yang Yajian. The five Chinese Nationals were arrested for stolen property, convicted, and have each served one day in prison.
Police say they had been in Canada since May 19 when they arrived in Toronto.
Get daily National news
The jewelry was stolen from Chinese seniors in “blessing scams.”
The scam would work like this: an elderly Chinese woman who was told by three female suspects that harm would befall her son or grandson by an evil spirit if she did not have her money and valuables blessed by them. During the blessing, the suspects would switch the bag of money and valuables with a bag of worthless items. The victim would be told not to tell anyone of the blessing and not to open the bag until months later.
Vancouver Police say they want to return the jewelry to its rightful owners. They are asking anyone who thinks their jewelry may be in police possession to call 604-717-2569. If the jewelry is not claimed within 60 days it will go to auction.
So far, three victims have positively identified their jewelry.
Police are warning the public not to have jewelry “blessed.”
Comments