Chicago police alert: Thieves targeting elderly people in Chinatown using blessing scam to steal their money, belongings [Video]

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago police have put out an alert that thieves are targeting elderly members of the Chinese community in Chinatown by using a blessing scam.

Police said that the thieves are giving the victims “blessed water” in exchange for money.

They said the m.o. is typically to approach victims with the help of two to three Asian females, talking to them about finding a doctor before convincing them to participate in a cleansing or blessing ceremony. During the ceremony, the victims are made to put their money and belongings in a bag for blessing, and then told not to open the bag for several days or tell any family members about the ceremony.

After, when the victims open the bag, they find everything inside has been stolen.

So far these thefts have been reported in the following places and times: