The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is warning about blessing scams, in which perpetrators exploit victims’ religious beliefs to persuade them to give money.

The scams are commonly targeted toward seniors and members of immigrant communities, particularly the Chinese community.

Blessing scams involve a suspect who promises a blessing or spiritual healing by asking victims to place valuable items or cash in a bag that is then secretly swapped for an empty bag. Perpetrators working in groups will commonly pretend not to know each other and will befriend victims. They ask personal questions that they then secretly transmit to a so-called spiritual doctor or psychic. The supposed spiritual advisor will casually show up and use the information to convince a victim.

The so-called spiritual advisors often convince victims that a terrible misfortune awaits them or a family member unless a blessing ceremony is performed by putting money in a bag, which the perpetrator switches with another bag.

For information, visit da.lacounty.gov.