Two blessing scams in Vancouver in recent weeks have targeted seniors at bus stops. Now the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says it is investigating a potential connection between the two. 

The first scam occurred on Oct. 16 around 1 p.m. at a bus stop on Victoria Drive near East 37th Avenue. An 81-year-old woman was waiting alone when she was approached by two women. 

The suspects struck up a conversation with the victim and learned about her sons. The two suspects were later joined by a man, and together the three convinced the victim that she could have her sons healed if her valuables were blessed. 

The victim retrieved about $7,000 in cash, a gold necklace and ring from her home and gave them to the man for a blessing. He gave the victim back a bag containing instant noodles and water.

After the victim returned home and spoke with her daughter, the daughter called the VPD.

The second scam occurred on Oct. 23 around 10:30 a.m. at a bus stop on Fraser Street near East 47th Avenue. A 79-year-old woman was approached by a single woman. 

While the two were talking, a second woman, wearing a mask and all black, joined them and told the victim that her son would die if she didn’t get her money and gold to be blessed. The suspect in black accompanied the victim to her home to retrieve the valuables.

After returning to the bus stop, the victim handed over about $40,000 in cash and another $50,000 in gold and jewellery to two men to be blessed.

The victim returned home and found her backpack contained noodles and water bottles instead of her valuables.