Alleged scams appear in Chinese-language newspaper job advertisements seeking workers caring for the elderly, San Francisco Police Department urges victims to file reports

SAN FRANCISCO — In recent months, alleged advertising scams have appeared in Chinese-language newspapers and employment agencies in Chinatown for hiring workers to assist seniors at home or accompany them to events. The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) urges any victims of the scams to come forward and report the crime.

On February 12, a Chinese immigrant woman in her 60s told Central Police Station Lieutenant Kin Lee at a crime prevention workshop in San Francisco Chinatown that she knew a victim who was recently defrauded over $5,000. The victim connected with the scammer by calling a phone number listed in an advertisement on a Chinese-language newspaper.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, showed a Chinese-language newspaper clipping featuring the alleged scam advertisement among the classified ads.

The ad read in Chinese, "Seeking an assistant for an elder. This role primarily involves accompanying my mother five days a week on community service trips, providing daily care and assistance with transportation. Hourly wage: $25-$30. Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX."

The woman said the victim thought it was a real job advertisement for hiring. She then called that phone number. A person who answered the phone kept talking with the victim and called back several times asking for money from the victim. Ultimately the victim lost over $5,000.

According to similar classified advertisements in various Chinese-language newspapers in the Bay Area, the alleged scammers wrote in the advertisements preferring women who speak Mandarin to do the work.

Lee was invited by the Chinese Christian Mission Church in San Francisco Chinatown to speak at a crime prevention workshop held on February 12. Lee said the SFPD has not received any reports related to similar advertising scams for hiring workers to care for elders.

Lee urged any victims of scams to file police reports with the SFPD. Many different types of scams have surged globally in recent years such as romance scams, investment/crypto scams, and imposter scams.

Before the Lunar New Year a year ago, the SFPD received at least 7 reports of blessing scams occurring in San Francisco. Victims, aged 69 to 79, were scammed out of a total of $374,000 in their life savings and jewelry.

"There has not been a single report of blessing scam in the City this year," Lee said.

The increasing scams worldwide in recent years have mostly defrauded victims via cell phones. Lee advised community members not to believe any strangers on the phone, especially those asking for investments.

"Ignore and delete phone numbers from strangers that you suspect are scammers," said Lee. "If you are a victim of fraud, please file a police report as soon as possible to stop the transaction. Scammers always wire the money out quickly, making it difficult to stop."

The crime rates have significantly dropped in San Francisco in 2025. Lee said fewer street robberies have occurred in Chinatown due to several factors, including Real-Time Investigation Center's active operation deploying drones and high tech tools to keep the city safe.

But some crimes still occur. Lee alerted community members to secure their cash and valuables while riding muni buses. Pick-pocket incidents happen daily. Lee said backpacks should be carried in front rather than on the back.

Lunar New Year banquets and parties are held across the city. Red envelopes with cash passed out to families and friends have been a Chinese culture and tradition for thousands of years. Lee suggested community members to carry less cash and fewer red envelopes when out on the streets during Lunar New Year.

Lee also encouraged community members to walk in groups, especially with younger people, to help deter perpetrators and crimes.

People in the audience raised questions about the increasing number of illegal vendors selling food and items on the streets, primarily along the Stockton Street corridor in Chinatown.

"The Police Department can't do much to stop the illegal vendors selling on the streets since 2019 because the law has changed," Lee responded. “Currently, the city agencies, including the Department of Public Works, are working together to address that issue in Chinatown."