BROOKLYN — The fourth suspect in a curse-lifting scam that netted almost a half-million dollars in stolen goods was indicted on charges of grand larceny as a hate crime Thursday, the Brooklyn District Attorney announced.
Xuekun Su, 44, stole $160,000 in cash and jewelry from two Chinese women she told would die from curses unless they handed over their valuables to be blessed by her associates, according to the DA.
Su pretended to be a clairvoyant when she met her 61-year-old victim on the corner of Bay 22nd and 86th streets on April 27 and her 54-year-old victim near 48th Street in Sunset Park on June 22, the DA said.
Su convinced the two women that a fatal curse had been placed on their families that could only be lifted by blessing the victim’s valuables.
The 61-year-old woman handed Su a bag filled with $140,000 in cash and her collection of 24-karat gold jewelry. The 54-year-old gave Su $19,000 in cash and numerous pieces of 24-karat gold jewelry, according to the DA.
Su returned the bags to the women with the instruction not to open them for several days, the DA said. When the women finally opened their bags, they found their possessions were gone and called police.
Su was arraigned on six counts of grand larceny in Brooklyn Supreme Court and faces up to 25 years in prison. Yu’s bail was set at $150,000 and her next court date was scheduled for Dec. 12, the DA said.
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Su worked with at least three accomplices — Yan Chen, 46, Yacheng Chen, 50, and Yuqub Liang, 57 — all of whom were indicted in Brooklyn Supreme Court in September.
“This is the second blessing scam we’ve indicted in as many months,” said District Attorney Eric Gonzalez in a statement.
“I urge those in the Chinese community to warn their vulnerable family members to be aware of these scams to avoid falling prey to them.”
Su’s attorney was not immediately available for comment.
