Yuee Ruan, a 63-year-old woman, has been charged in connection with a spiritual blessing scam that allegedly defrauded elderly Chinese women in Sydney of over $3 million.

Ruan was arrested at Sydney International Airport and now faces multiple charges, including obtaining a financial advantage by deception and demanding property with menace.

Police allege that since 2023, there have been at least 80 instances of this scam, which exploits vulnerable elderly women by preying on their cultural fears about spirits and curses.

Two specific incidents from last year involved threats of serious harm to the victims' family members if they did not comply with the scammers' demands, showcasing the psychological manipulation employed.

The scam typically involves scammers collecting victims' possessions, which are then swapped for items of no value before being returned, with instructions not to check the contents immediately.

The police have reported incidents occurring in various areas of Sydney, including Ryde, Burwood, Parramatta, and Hornsby.

Investigations into these scams have been ongoing since July 2023, with previous warnings issued to the public in October 2023 about such fraudulent activities.

Authorities are urging anyone else who may have fallen victim to come forward and are warning the public to be cautious of unknown individuals asking for money or valuables.

Ruan has been refused bail and is scheduled to appear in Parramatta Local Court on July 4, 2025.

Scammers typically approach their victims in public, convincing them to hand over money and valuables for blessings to protect their families.