The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of an increase in distraction-thefts which have targeted Chinese women.
Between May 13, 2013 and May 23, 2013, a number of distraction-thefts have occurred at various locations within the Scarborough area, north of Highway 401.
It is reported that:
- elderly Chinese women have been approached by an unknown woman in the company of two other women
- the victims are engaged in conversation with the women, in Cantonese, about family illnesses
- the victims are told they can provide a blessing that will assist with the cure of the illnesses
- the women direct the victims to withdraw money and place both money and jewellery in a bag
- the women would secretly take the money and jewellery and replace it with paper and other items, unknown to the victim
- the victims are advised to place the bag in their house in a hiding spot
- at a later time, when the victims look inside the bag, they find that the money and the jewellery had been replaced with papers and other items
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
Between May 13, 2013 and May 23, 2013, a number of distraction-thefts have occurred at various locations within the Scarborough area, north of Highway 401.
It is reported that:
- elderly Chinese women have been approached by an unknown woman in the company of two other women
- the victims are engaged in conversation with the women, in Cantonese, about family illnesses
- the victims are told they can provide a blessing that will assist with the cure of the illnesses
- the women direct the victims to withdraw money and place both money and jewellery in a bag
- the women would secretly take the money and jewellery and replace it with paper and other items, unknown to the victim
- the victims are advised to place the bag in their house in a hiding spot
- at a later time, when the victims look inside the bag, they find that the money and the jewellery had been replaced with papers and other items
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.