San Francisco, CA
San Francisco police issue warning after $374K stolen in blessing scams
San Francisco police are warning members of the Chinese community to be extra vigilant after thieves have stolen nearly $400,000 from elderly women in recent months in so-called “blessing scams.”
On Tuesday, police issued an alert Tuesday about the scammers, which often take place around the holidays and the Lunar New Year.
“These crimes against our most vulnerable community members are unacceptable, and we are working diligently to identify the suspects and bring them to justice,” Police Chief Bill Scott said in a statement. “As we continue investigating these crimes, we want our community members to stay vigilant to prevent blessing scams by continuing to talk to one another daily and working with SFPD to report these crimes.”
According to officers, the Chinese-speaking suspects claim to provide relief from a curse or family illness through so called “purification ceremonies” in which victims are told to place cash and valuables in a bag to be “blessed”. Scammers tell the victims to open the bag at a later date for the “blessing” to take effect.
When a victim opens the bag, they discover their valuables have been switched.
“Every year, members of our community are targeted by bad actors preying on vulnerable populations, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. These scams are against the law, and we will arrest people committing crimes against our neighbors,” Mayor Daniel Lurie said.
In Tuesday’s alert, police listed at least seven incidents dating back to Nov. 23 in which about $374,000 in cash and property were stolen. The incidents, which took place in areas across the city, involved victims who were in their 60s and 70s.
Police also released photos of potential suspects.
“Blessing scams are not new and are becoming increasingly brazen,” District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said. “These despicable scams rob innocent victims of their hard-earned money and also take their dignity as well, as victims often feel deep shame.”
Police offered several tips to the community, including:
• Be aware of strangers
• Do not easily believe what strangers say
• Keep a distance from strangers
• Do not follow strangers anywhere
• Do not let strangers touch you
• Do not withdraw money at banks with strangers
• Do not bring strangers home
• Be aware if strangers ask for money
• Before withdrawing large sums of money/ valuables, tell your family
Anyone who has information about these cases can contact the SFPD’s anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444 or by texting a tip to 411, beginning the message with SFPD. Cantonese speakers can use a special tip line at 415-553-9212 or 1-855-737-3847.
Reports can also be made at any SFPD or by calling dispatch at 415-553-0123 and requesting an officer to take a report.
Division-leading Dodgers aim to snap home losing trend as they open series against the Giants in a matchup of NL West foes
After dropping their second straight home series over the weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers head into Monday night’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants sitting atop the National League West Division standings, aiming to avenge a series loss to the Giants from two weeks ago. San Francisco has lost nine of its last 12 games overall and have dropped seven in a row on the road as they begin a 10-game road trip that will keep them away from home until Memorial Day Weekend. The Giants will start Trevor McDonald (1-0, 1.29 ERA) in his fourth start in the Majors while the Dodgers will counter with second-year Japanese import Roki Sasaki (1-3, 5.97 ERA) who has given up a home run in five consecutive outings.
How to Watch San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers:
Date: May 11, 2026
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
TV Channel: MLB Network
Location: Dodgers Stadium
Live Stream the San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers game on Fubo: Start watching now!
Dodger center fielder Andy Pages, who has helped Los Angeles claim World Series titles in each of his first two years in the Majors, leads the team this season hitting .333, ranking the 25-year-old Cuban third among all hitters in MLB. Pages is hitting .371 so far in May with five extra base hits and 10 RBIs and has successfully reached base in 13 of his last 14 games.
With nine hits in seven games so far this month, Giants second baseman Luis Arraez is hitting a team-leading .310 at the plate in 2026 and is on pace for his eighth career 100-hit campaign. Arraez is one of only two active players with a career batting average above .300, hitting .316 for his career and leads Houston’s Jose Altuve by 15 points.
What time is Giants vs Dodgers?
Coverage of the San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers starts Monday, May 11, at 10:00 p.m ET. Tune in to see if the Dodgers can beat the Giants for the fifth time in the last six games at Dodger Stadium or if San Francisco can beat LA for the fourth time in the last five head-to-head matchups.
What channel is the Giants vs Dodgers game on?
Looking to watch the game? Subscribers can tune to MLB Network to catch the action. Make sure you subscribe to Fubo now to watch this matchup at home or on the go with the Fubo TV app.
Watch the San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers game on Fubo: Start watching now!
Regional restrictions may apply.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the McCoven who hopefully have better things to do than watch this dreadful baseball team. But if this is your chosen way of spending the day, then welcome, and may the Giants beat the Pittsburgh Pirates to win the series for you.
Right-hander Tyler Mahle takes the mound for the Giants, as the veteran makes his eighth start of the year. He’s 1-4 on the season, with a 5.00 ERA, a 4.91 FIP, and 34 strikeouts to 18 walks in 36 innings. He was very strong his last time out, pitching 5.1 shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.
For the Pirates, it’s right-hander Bubba Chandler, a 23-year old in his second season. In seven starts this year, Chandler is 1-4 with a 4.76 ERA, a 5.60 FIP, and 31 strikeouts to 26 walks in 34 innings. Chandler gave up two runs in five innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his last game. He has issued the most walks in the Major Leagues, so he’s probably foaming at the mouth to face the Giants, who apparently believe that drawing walks is a sin on par with murder.
Enjoy the game, everyone. Go Giants! Go moms!
Who: San Francisco Giants (15-24) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (22-18)
Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area
Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM
San Francisco, CA
Where to watch Pittsburgh Pirates vs San Francisco Giants: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 10
What to know about MLB’s ABS robot umpire strike zone system
MLB launches ABS challenge system as players test robot umpire calls in a groundbreaking season.
Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.
We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Sunday as the Pittsburgh Pirates visit the San Francisco Giants.
See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.
What time is Pittsburgh Pirates vs San Francisco Giants?
First pitch between the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, May 10.
How to watch Pittsburgh Pirates vs San Francisco Giants on Sunday
All times Eastern and accurate as of Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 6:33 a.m.
Watch MLB all season long with Fubo
MLB regional blackout restrictions apply
MLB scores, results
MLB scores for May 10 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:
See scores, results for all of today’s games.
-
Austin, TX5 minutes agoMan fatally shot during dog walk in Northwest Austin, neighbor arrested
-
Alaska17 minutes ago10 Reasons the 2026 Princess Cruises Season Is the Ultimate Alaska Power Move – AOL
-
Arizona23 minutes agoArizona Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #40: 5/11 @ Rangers
-
Arkansas29 minutes agoSax star Merlon Devine joins Lupus Foundation of Arkansas to jazz up awareness month
-
California35 minutes agoGOP California governor candidates to face off at Clovis forum ahead of primary
-
Colorado41 minutes agoCoworking firm Industrious takes former WeWork space in Denver
-
Connecticut47 minutes agoNew Haven man found with ‘Super Mario’ meth pills to serve federal prison time
-
Delaware53 minutes agoWho governs matters: Why school board elections deserve your attention