Victims tricked into surrendering gold and cash during fake spiritual cleansing rituals
Four Chinese nationals have been charged in Singapore for allegedly running a “blessing” scam that deceived victims into handing over cash and valuables under the guise of spiritual cleansing. The suspects reportedly replaced the items with worthless materials such as leaves.
Elaborate Deception With Cultural Manipulation
On June 6, Singapore police charged Zhong Weifeng (58), Huang Ximing (61), Huang Meiling (56), and Huang Qinyan (47) for conspiracy to cheat under Sections 420 and 109 of the Penal Code. Their elaborate scheme exploited cultural beliefs in spiritual cleansing to manipulate and defraud unsuspecting victims.
One incident took place on June 2, when the group approached a woman in Chinatown. Pretending to seek directions, one woman lured the victim into a ruse involving a so-called “Chinese physician.” Claiming the victim was suffering from “negative spiritual elements,” they convinced her to surrender S$700 in cash and a gold necklace with a Guan Yin pendant.
Leaves Instead Of Blessings
The fraudulent “physician,” later identified as Huang Qinyan, performed a fake blessing ritual and sealed the valuables in a plastic bag. She instructed the victim not to open the bag for a month and to store it under her bed. The next day, curiosity led the victim to inspect the bag—only to find leaves in place of her valuables.
Another victim reported a similar scam on June 4 in Clementi. She was persuaded by two women to place S$700 in a black rubbish bag for safekeeping, supposedly to ward off misfortune. The money later disappeared.
Swift Police Action
Following the reports, the Singapore Police Force launched investigations using ground operations and CCTV footage to identify the suspects. The four were arrested on June 5. During the arrest, police seized S$1,311 in cash and 10,050 yuan (approximately S$1,800), along with a gold necklace.
In its public statement, SPF warned citizens, especially the elderly, to be cautious of individuals offering spiritual help or blessings, emphasizing that legitimate practitioners do not require valuables for rituals.
Legal Consequences And Public Caution
If convicted, each accused could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant, report such incidents promptly, and educate vulnerable groups about these scams.
Members of the public with relevant information are encouraged to contact the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or visit http://www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. To learn more about scams, visit http://www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield Helpline.
This spiritual scam case underscores how easily traditional beliefs can be manipulated for profit. It serves as a cautionary tale for both Indonesians and Singaporeans, highlighting the need for critical thinking when approached by strangers claiming spiritual authority. Law enforcement’s swift action also reflects Singapore’s commitment to public safety and scam prevention.
Sources: Asia One (2025) , Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Blessing Scam Singapore, Spiritual Scam Arrest, Chinatown Fraud, Cheating Case Singapore, Fake Ritual Scam
