The Vancouver Police Department is sharing some troubling footage of an elderly woman being roped into a “blessing scam” that ended with her losing over 10 thousand dollars.
These “blessing scams” have been targeting elderly residents in Vancouver, and the VPD says that they have led to thousands of dollars in lost cash and valuables.
There have been at least five separate incidents reported across Vancouver since late May.
CCTV footage of a June 6 incident near Southwest Marine Drive and Yukon Street shows how unassuming the scams are.
The video shows an elderly woman being approached by two female suspects after leaving a grocery store.
“What appears to be a random encounter on camera is in fact a targeted strategy by the scammers.”
#VPDNews: The Vancouver Police Department is releasing CCTV footage and issuing a public warning following a series of “blessing scams” that have targeted elderly residents in the city, resulting in the theft of thousands of dollars in cash and valuables.
Investigators have… pic.twitter.com/Vl0hE7SuJY
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) June 16, 2026
The two female suspects engaged the victim in a conversation and, according to the VPD, convinced her that a “terrible misfortune or curse would soon befall her family.”
She was informed that in order to ward off the curse, the suspects would place a “blessing” on her valuables.
She was then escorted a few blocks away and met a third suspect. That suspect instructed the elderly woman to go home and come back with her valuables for a “ritual.”
The victim sadly returned to the scene with over $15,000 in cash and a gold ring in her purse.
“Through sleight of hand and distraction, the suspects secretly removed the money and jewelry from her bag without her knowledge. She only discovered the theft after returning home.”
In light of yet another Vancouver blessing scam, the VPD is advising residents not to let strangers approach or enter their personal space, even if they seem friendly or are offering gifts. It also advises residents not to give strangers money or valuables.