The Police have arrested three women and a man, aged between 47 and 61, for their suspected involvement in multiple blessing scams.
On 3 June 2025, the Police received a report from a victim who was allegedly cheated by three women at Chinatown area. The first woman had initially approached the victim seeking directions to a Chinese physician. A second woman then intervened, claiming knowledge of a suitable physician but explained that consultations could only occur outside the premises due to overcrowding. The second woman wanted the victim to pose as her relative and the duo led the victim to meet a third woman who claimed to be a Chinese physician. The victim was told that she was experiencing misfortune due to negative spiritual elements. The three woman and the victim then arranged to meet at Hong Lim Park and the victim was convinced to surrender $700 in cash and a gold necklace with a Guan Yin pendant to the “Chinese physician”, who then placed the items in a black plastic bag and performed a purported blessing ritual. The victim was then instructed to store the plastic bag underneath her bed, unopened for one month. The next morning, the victim examined the contents of the plastic bag and discovered that her valuables had been replaced with leaves.
On 4 June 2025, another victim reported a similar scam in the Clementi area. Two women approached the victim and engaged her in conversation. After noticing cash in the victim's bag, they convinced her to place her valuables, amounting to $700, into a black trash bag for "safekeeping". The victim later discovered that her money was missing.
Through extensive ground enquiries and with the aid of CCTV footage, officers established the identities of the three women, and a fourth man who was believed to be working with them. All four persons were arrested on 5 June 2025. The victim's gold necklace was recovered from one of the persons. Cash amounting to S$1,311 and RMB10,050 were seized as case exhibits.
All four persons will be charged in court on 6 June 2025 for conspiracy to cheat under Section 420 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.
The Police would like to remind members of the public to be wary of strangers who claim to provide spiritual help or blessing services. No legitimate religious practitioner will ask for your money or valuables to be surrendered for any blessing ritual. Members of the public should be vigilant and alert their elderly family members about such scams. If approached by someone claiming you have bad luck or need spiritual cleansing, do not engage with them and call the Police immediately. If you have any information related to such scams, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. For more information on scams, visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
Annex
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
06 June 2025 @ 1:00 PM