An elderly woman in Newport fell victim to a scam where she was conned out of £200,000 in cash and jewellery by three suspects who manipulated her into believing she needed to participate in a spiritual ritual to ward off ‘bad spirits’. The perpetrators exchanged the money and jewellery for bags of flour while engaging in the ritual in Newport city centre. This appalling crime was featured on Crimewatch Live, with presenter Michelle Ackerley condemning it as a “manipulative, calculated scam preying on the victim’s vulnerability”.
The three women reportedly befriended the 73-year-old victim in Newport city centre and offered to perform the ritual to protect her family in exchange for money. Described as having short black hair and aged between 30 and 50, with the ability to speak Cantonese, the suspects exploited the victim’s beliefs and fears. Gwent Police has conducted investigations and is seeking assistance in identifying a woman captured on CCTV buying flour in the area, potentially crucial to the case.
Police Officer PSI Jay Clark detailed how the victim was approached while shopping on Commercial Street, with one woman claiming her husband was ill and needed assistance. Another woman joined in, offering the victim help from a supposed spiritual healer. The trio led the victim to a location near the footbridge, where a third woman alleged the presence of harmful spirits endangering the victim’s family. They convinced her to bring her cash savings and jewellery for cleansing to avert the perceived danger.
As part of their enquiries, Gwent Police shared images of another woman in CCTV footage they wish to speak to, further aiding their investigations. Despite the distressing loss suffered by the elderly victim, authorities hope to bring the perpetrators to justice. Anyone recognising persons in the CCTV footage or possessing pertinent information is urged to contact Gwent Police via their website, social media, or by dialling 101 and quoting the reference number 2400168940.