Two Vancouver seniors lose at least $97,000 in fake blessing scams

Vancouver Police say strangers approached an 81-year-old and a 79-year-old woman at bus stops on October 16 and 23, learned about their sons, and claimed the sons would be healed, or would die, unless the women's money and gold were blessed. One woman handed over about $7,000 in cash plus jewelry; the other gave about $40,000 in cash and about $50,000 in gold and jewelry. Both got back bags of instant noodles and water.

What to do: Anyone who says your family is in danger and asks for cash or gold is running a scam. Talk to an older relative about this one, and call family before handing anything to a stranger.

Source: Vancouver Police, Oct 28

This story was part of The Fraud Briefing's Top 5 for the week ending November 1, 2026. Get it in your inbox every week: subscribe here. Watch the 20-second version on YouTube at @thefraudbriefing.