CHICAGO – Chicago police are issuing a warning about a scam targeting elderly Chinese residents.
The cases were reported in several neighborhoods, including Chinatown, between May and late August.
In some cases, WGN News was told the victims were allegedly scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars, a pattern that has elected officials and activists concerned about some of the most vulnerable residents being targeted.
“We don’t know how many people they’ve actually deceived, but the stories we’ve heard are devastating,” said Grace Chan McKibben, executive director of the Coalition for a better Chinese American Community.
So far, CPD said they’ve received five reports of elderly members of the Chinese community being preyed on.
According to police, the suspects – described as two-to-three Asian women between 30 and 40 years of age – are earning their victims’ trust to carry out confidence scams.
“They came up to these elderly people, making up stories like, ‘I’m looking for directions. I’m trying to find this miracle doctor,'” McKibben said.
Businesses shared photos of the suspects believed to be involved with the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community. Alderwoman Nicole Lee of the 11th Ward said the crimes are especially concerning to her.
“It was so culturally specific and it was committed by other Chinese people, so it was very alarming and disappointing all at the same time,” Lee said.
According to McKibben, several victims have shared stories of the suspects working in a calculated way, often convincing their victims to walk with them and find the so-called “miracle doctor” as they solicit personal information.
According to police, at some point the victims were convinced to participate in a blessing or cleansing ceremony, but were told their belongings must be bagged up and that they were not allowed to look at them for days or tell family members about it.
“In several instances, they were able to go back to the homes of these elderly people to get the money and the jewelry,” McKibben said.
The victims told the coalition they had between $20,00-$30,000 and jewelry stolen from them. In once case, a victim was reportedly saving up little by little for dental work, which according to McKibben, is why she had $20,000 of cash in her apartment.
Police said the victims were targeted in Chinatown, Bridgeport, South Loop and Armour Square.
Lee added it’s important for people to talk to their families, especially the elderly, about scams. Anyone who becomes a victim should report their situation to police immediately.
“If police don’t have a record of it, it’s as if it didn’t happen, even though we know it did because it happened to real people,” Lee said.
Police said there have not been any new reports filed in the last few weeks. The coalition, meanwhile, believes the suspects may have moved on to another city’s Chinatown neighborhood.
No arrests have been made.
The public is reminded to be careful before taking part in any financial transactions.