Chinatown Scam - Ghost and Evil Spirit Scheme

How the Scam Works

1. The Approach: Typically, two or three women (often in their 40s or 50s) approach a victim on the street. They build trust by speaking the victim’s dialect (usually Cantonese or Mandarin) and posing as friendly strangers.
2. The Hook: They tell the victim that their family is cursed or that a "ghost" is following them, which will cause a terrible tragedy (like the death of a child) unless a ritual is performed.
3. The Ritual: The victim is told to bring all their cash and jewelry in a bag to be "blessed" by a miracle doctor or healer.
4. The Switch: During the ceremony, the scammers surreptitiously swap the victim's bag for an identical one containing worthless items like water or rice.
5. The Delay: The victim is instructed not to open the bag for several days and not to tell anyone about the ritual, allowing the scammers time to flee before the theft is discovered.

Recent Activity and Locations

• Chicago (2024): Police issued alerts after at least five women in Chinatown and surrounding neighborhoods lost tens of thousands of dollars to this scam between May and August.
• San Francisco: Authorities continue to educate seniors on these "Evil Spirit" tactics to prevent financial elder abuse, as losses in the city have historically topped $1.5 million.
• Other Cities: Variations of this scam have been reported in New York, Boston, London, and Singapore.

Other Chinatown Scams

• The "Money Switch" Scam: Reported in Bangkok's Chinatown, where a "tourist couple" asks to see your currency to "compare" it and then attempts to swipe bills or swap envelopes.
• Immigration Fraud: "Notarios" or fake lawyers in areas like NYC’s Chinatown and Flushing have been caught charging large sums for fraudulent asylum applications.

Protecting Yourself and Others

To stay safe, follow these tips often shared by community leaders:

• Be Skeptical of Strangers: Warn elderly relatives not to talk to strangers who ask for personal information or offer "spiritual" help.
• Keep Your Valuables: Never give a bag of money or jewelry to anyone to "bless" or "cleanse."
• Break the Silence: If someone tells you not to talk to your family about a ritual, it is almost certainly a scam.
• Report It: Even if victims feel embarrassed, reporting to the police is vital for catching these organized groups.