SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego police department is investigating seven incidents involving an Asian couple using a ruse to illegally obtain money from elderly males.

The scam takes the following form: an Asian female stops the victim outside a business and claims that she needs to donate money to a church.

The female then displays a large handful of cash that she claims she just inherited because of a death in the family. She says she is unable to bring the money back to her country of origin.

The female then asks the victim to drive her around so she can find a church to make the donation.

After they locate a church, an Asian male walks up and says he can help. Both suspects then ask the victim to hold on to the inheritance until the money can be donated to a church.

The suspects claim the victim will receive a percentage of the inheritance for helping them. However, the suspects require the victim to withdraw money from his bank account to use as collateral in order for the victim to receive a percentage of the inheritance.

After the withdrawal occurs, the female asks the victim to hold her money.

The female suspect says she needs to be driven to a nearby pharmacy to purchase personal feminine products. Once they arrive at the store, the female says she is too embarrassed to go inside and convinces the victim to go inside to buy the feminine products.

The suspect remains in the victim's vehicle. The female asks the victim to leave all of the money in the car before he goes into the store. While the victim is in the store, the female suspect takes all of the money and disappears.

The largest amount of money stolen from a victim was $10,000.

The total loss from the seven victims is approximately $34,000.

The female is described as Asian (possibly Chinese or Vietnamese), 23-25 years old, 5-4, thin, with black hair. The male is described as Asian (possibly Chinese or Vietnamese), 27 years old, 5-6, with a thin build.

These are the cases involving the same suspects and method of operation:

• Date Time Day Location


• May 3, 2005, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Tuesday, 5600 Balboa Avenue


• July 5, 2005, 1 p.m., Tuesday, 8800 Navajo Road


• July 12, 2005, 10 a.m., Tuesday, 5200 Waring Road


• July 12, 2005, 2:15-2:40 p.m., Tuesday, 10300 Friars Road


• July 14, 2005, 1 p.m., Thursday, 6800 University Avenue


• July 19, 2005, 10:20-11:35 a.m, Tuesday, 6500 Mission Gorge Road


• July 28, 2005, 3 p.m., Thursday, 5100 Waring Road

Anyone with information is requested to contact Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.