A man has been charged with fraud-related offences after a woman reported to police that she had approximately $150,000 in jewellery allegedly taken from her during a prayer scam.
On Thursday 9 January 2025, a 47-year-old woman was taking a lunch break in Darling Harbour, when she was approached by a man not previously known to her and introduced himself as a spiritual guide.
The pair struck up a conversation, and during the conversation, the man offered to perform a blessing on the woman, to ease various life concerns.
In the following weeks, the man again met with the woman and allegedly requested she provide jewellery as part of the blessing ritual.
During the ceremony, the man allegedly placed a weighted coconut onto the jewellery and while she held his gaze, the man allegedly replaced the valuables with empty boxes and other items.
When the woman realised her jewellery was missing, she reported the matter to officers from Blacktown Police Area Command, who commenced an investigation into the incident.
Following an investigation by Blacktown detectives, about 1.45pm yesterday (Wednesday 5 February 2025), police arrested a 25-year-old man near Darling Harbour.
As part of the investigation, police executed a search warrant at a hostel on Elizabeth Street, Sydney and located items of jewellery allegedly belonging to the woman.
The man was taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with dishonestly obtaining property by deception.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court on Monday 10 February 2025.
