Chinese trio trick 77-year-old woman with ‘black magic’ scam, steal S$44k in cash and jewellery

SINGAPORE: A 56-year-old Chinese national, Li Yulian (transliterated), pleaded guilty on 18 July 2025 to cheating a 77-year-old retired Singaporean woman out of S$44,000 in cash and gold jewellery. According to Lianhe Zaobao, the case sheds light on a long-running scam that preyed on elderly victims’ fears of curses. According to court documents, the incident took place on 16 November 2019 at around 8 am. The elderly woman was walking near HDB Block 815 Jellicoe Road in Singapore’s Lavender District when Li’s accomplice, Liang Guilian, stopped her to ask if she knew a 90-year-old doctor in the area. When the woman said she did not, Li Yulian joined the conversation and claimed she knew the doctor personally. She further surprised the victim by stating that she knew the woman had three sons and a daughter. This accurate information gained the victim’s trust.

Scammer claimed an old doctor could 'lift curse', demanded cash for fake ritual

Li then told the victim that she had been cursed by someone using black magic. Claiming that only the old doctor could remove the curse, Li convinced the woman that she needed to bring large sums of money for the ritual. Li added that the doctor only treated patients in even numbers, so she would accompany the woman. The frightened victim returned home to gather S$8,000 in cash, gold jewellery, and her bank book. She then withdrew another S$36,000 at a bank near Boon Keng MRT Station, under Li’s guidance. Together, they took a taxi back to Block 815, where they met Liang Guilian and a third accomplice, Zhu Mianfang (transliterated).

Victim given fake bag after ritual instructions, discovered valuables missing

Zhu claimed she was the doctor’s granddaughter and said she had already been cured of a curse. Zhu instructed the elderly woman to place her money and jewellery inside a brown reusable bag and handed her back an identical bag. She told the woman not to open the bag until midnight and warned her not to tell anyone about the ritual. After returning home, the victim shared the story with her daughter, who insisted on checking the bag. Inside, they found only plastic bags and drinks. The original S$44,000 in cash, three gold bracelets, two gold rings, two pairs of gold earrings, a Rolex watch, and a S$350 bracelet were missing. The case highlighted the vulnerability of elderly individuals to sophisticated scams. Singaporean authorities have repeatedly urged the public to remain vigilant and to verify suspicious claims. Li Yulian now awaits sentencing for her role in the deception. Investigations into her accomplices, Liang Guilian and Zhu Mianfang, are ongoing.