Four Suspects Arrested In Alleged NYC Blessing, Curse Scheme
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Four people have been arrested in connection with an alleged blessing scheme across New York City.
Police said 57-year-old Yuqun Liang, 50-year-old Yacheng Chen, 46-year-old Yan Chen and 44-year-old Xuekun Su are all charged with grand larceny and scheme to defraud.
Five women in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn have been bilked out of nearly $500,000 since April, police said.
In each incident, police said the victims are told their families are cursed. They are then instructed to place jewelry and money in a bag and give it to women who will perform a blessing ritual to reverse the curse, police said.
One woman was ripped off of $280,000 and jewelry on Grand Street, police said.
Police sources said a detective driving to work spotted the four suspects engaging an elderly woman on Market Slip near the FDR Drive, WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported. He recognized them and stopped the alleged scam in progress.
Last month, City Councilmember Margaret Chin said often the victims don't speak English.
"We just want to make sure people know about these types of situations and to be able to warn their families and friends," Chin said.
Police said the investigation is still ongoing.
