Spiritual guide ‘used coconut’ to fleece woman during $150,000 prayer scam: Cops say

A man claiming to be a spiritual guide has been charged with fraud-related offences after allegedly deceiving a woman out of $150,000 in jewellery during a bizarre blessing ritual in Sydney.

A man has been charged with fraud-related offences after an alleged prayer scam. Picture: Generic images

A man has been charged with fraud after allegedly scamming a woman out of $150,000 in jewellery during a so-called prayer ritual in Sydney.

Police say a 47-year-old woman was on her lunch break in Darling Harbour in January when she was approached by a man who introduced himself as a spiritual guide.

During their conversation, the man offered to perform a blessing to ease her life concerns.

Over the following weeks, the pair met again, and the man allegedly convinced her to provide jewellery as part of the ritual.

During one ceremony, police allege the man placed a weighted coconut onto the jewellery.

While the woman was distracted, he is accused of swapping the valuables with empty boxes and other items.

When she realised her jewellery was missing, she reported the incident to police, who commenced an investigation into the incident.

Following inquiries, officers arrested a 25-year-old man near Darling Harbour just after 1.45pm on Wednesday.

A search warrant was executed at a hostel on Elizabeth St, where police allegedly recovered items of jewellery 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 and is due to appear at Blacktown Local Court on February 10.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]