I noted this earlier and it has been reported before in the SFist and other news outlets, and now it is back back in the news. Here's the deal: two or three young people approach eledery Chinese women and claim that their (the old woman's) money and/or jewelry has been cursed by an evil spirit. Then they (the ne'er do wells) offer to purify the money and/or jewelry for them if they would just hand it over.
Not surprisingly, they run off with the money and valuables.
Here is in the news again, but it's slightly better news in that because this scam was reported earlier, someone thought not to fall for it and instead went to the Police station and brought back a cop, who apprehended the scam artists. Although, really, I wouldn't call them "artists." And also, it took reports of this for the almost-victim to think twice about handing over all of her earthly valuables to strangers on the street because they said an evil spirit had attached itself to their money?
This is unquestionably terrible and nefarious and just wrong on so many levels to prey upon the elderly and fervently superstitious. Unquestionably.
However.
I can't keep thinking two things when I read these reports: (1) "A fool and his money are soon parted." and (2) "Your money is dirty and therefore you should hand it over to us and be purified and cleansed" sounds a lot like most of the popular religions in America.
However, it appears that these scammers may not be asking as nicely as those in the pulpits. Seems a little strong-arming to me. Glad they got caught, and I hope the DA is creative in finding a way to prosecute.
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