Chinese “prayer parties” are rampant in Sunset Park, beware of donation fraud

In recent weeks, there has been a surge in scams targeting the Chinese community, particularly in Sunset Park, prompting local police to issue warnings. The NYPD’s 72nd precinct specifically cautions residents, especially elderly women, to remain vigilant against a group referred to as the “Blessing Scam Gang.” Meanwhile, the 120th precinct on Staten Island is alerting residents about potential donation scams.

The 72nd precinct, which oversees the Brooklyn Sunset Park area, recently released a statement urging Chinese residents to be on high alert for the “Blessing Scam Gang.” According to police, this group consists of Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking women aged between 30 to 40 who often operate in small clusters. Their tactics involve posing as practitioners who can perform rituals to ward off misfortune, tricking many women in the community out of their money and jewelry, with elderly Chinese women being their primary targets.

Authorities emphasize that individuals should never trust anyone claiming they can resolve their problems through rituals or other means and advise against handing over any valuables to strangers. They stress the importance of communication; if anyone falls victim to such scams, they should discuss it with family members and report the incident to the police promptly.

In a separate warning, the 120th precinct, which serves areas with large Chinese populations in Northern Staten Island, has alerted residents to be cautious about “donation scams.” Police warn that con artists may approach people on the street, soliciting donations for various organizations, including favorite sports teams, schools, or charitable causes. Scammers typically insist on payment through apps like Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App and may ask for the donor’s phone number while processing the transaction. During this time, they can divert substantial amounts from the donor’s bank account to their own.

The police stress that individuals should never disclose their phone numbers to strangers and should set transaction limits when using financial apps. If someone suspects they’ve been scammed, they are advised to call 911 immediately.