VPD warns of two blessing scams that cost seniors nearly $100,000

A blessing scam is a type of fraud where strangers approach a person, usually an older adult, and claim that a family member is in danger. The strangers say the person's money or jewellery must be blessed by a ritual to protect the family member. After the victim hands over their valuables, the scammers return a bag containing worthless items such as food or water bottles and leave. The Vancouver Police Department warned of two such incidents in Vancouver in October 2026.

The first incident happened on October 16, 2026, at a bus stop on Victoria Drive near East 37th Avenue. The second happened on October 23, 2026, at a bus stop on Fraser Street at East 47th Avenue. Both locations are in east Vancouver. Vancouver Police say they are investigating a possible link between the two cases.

In the first incident on October 16, the victim handed over about $7,000 in cash, a gold necklace, and a ring. In the second incident on October 23, the victim handed over $40,000 in cash and $50,000 in gold and jewellery. The combined total across both incidents is $97,000. These figures are what Vancouver Police reported in their October 28 press release.

In both cases, the scammers handed back a bag or backpack that appeared to hold the valuables but actually held instant noodles and water bottles. The victims did not discover the switch until they returned home and opened the bags. Vancouver Police posted this warning on October 28, 2026.

Vancouver Police describe the suspects as Asian females. In the first incident, two women approached the victim at a bus stop and a man later joined to collect the valuables. In the second incident, one woman in all-black clothing and a mask accompanied the victim home to retrieve the items. Vancouver Police have not named any suspects and no arrests have been announced as of October 28, 2026.

Vancouver Police are asking anyone with information about either incident, or anyone with closed-circuit television or dashcam footage from the bus stop locations on Victoria Drive near East 37th Avenue or Fraser Street at East 47th Avenue, to call the non-emergency line at 604-717-3321. Any footage from those areas and times may help the investigation even if you were not a direct witness to the incidents.

Vancouver Police say that strangers who approach someone at a bus stop and claim a family member is in danger are likely running a scam. The right action is to end the conversation, leave the area, and call a trusted family member to check whether a real emergency has happened. No legitimate ritual requires handing cash or jewellery to a stranger on the street. If a senior you know is approached this way, encourage them to report it to police at 604-717-3321.

Blessing scams targeting older residents have been reported in Metro Vancouver in previous years. The Vancouver Police Department posted this warning on October 28, 2026, after two incidents in the same month. Police say the two October 2026 cases may be connected, which suggests an organized group may be operating in the city. The VPD's fraud prevention page has more information on types of fraud and how to protect yourself.