Staying safe during the Lunar New Year festivities
Each February, San Francisco celebrates the Lunar New Year with our city’s world-famous parade – the largest in the United States. The parades began in the 1860s and today never fail to draw huge crowds. The Chinese New Year Parade will be held on February 15, 2025. Please click here to view more info regarding this year's parade and festivities.
Beware of Scams and Beware of your Surroundings!
Unfortunately, the Lunar New Year is a peak time for scammers. We urge you to beware of strangers seeking cash in exchange for curing your illness or lifting a curse. If you are approached by a potential scammer, we urge you to contact the police at our non-emergency number: 1-415-553-0123. You can also call our Tip Line at 1-415-558-5588 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.
Blessing Scams
The San Francisco Police Department is urging members of the Chinese community to be on alert for blessing scams following several recent cases in which criminals stole approximately $374,000 in cash and property from victims.
The cases, which began in late November and have continued into January, involve Chinese-speaking perpetrators preying on the kindness and beliefs of vulnerable community members. The suspects often claim to provide relief from a curse or illness of family members through “purification ceremonies” in which they instruct victims to place cash and valuables into a bag to be “blessed.” The scammers tell the victims to open the bag at a later date in order for the “blessing” to take effect.
When the victims finally open their bags and discover their valuables were switched, the suspects are long gone. Similar cases have occurred for years in San Francisco with criminals often coming to the city around the holidays and Lunar New Year to take advantage of victims.
Blessing Scam Safety Tips
- 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
防範祈福黨／金光黨
- 提防陌生人
- 切勿輕信街上藉詞接近的人
- 與陌生人保持距離
- 不要隨便跟陌生人走
- 不要讓陌生人觸摸
- 不要帶陌生人到銀行提款
- 不要帶陌生人回家
- 如陌生人要錢，必須提高警惕
- 決定從銀行或回家提取現金／金飾前，應先跟家人商量
Ways To Report Blessing Scam Incidents, Other Resources, and Language Access
SFPD is committed to safety with respect for all our City's communities. The department works closely with San Francisco's multilingual communities to identify and address specific safety concerns. SFPD currently has hundreds of officers that speak more than 30 different languages. The department is encouraging all bilingual officers to become certified to provide Limited English Proficiency (LEP) services to community members.
Anyone who is confronted by scammers or anyone who knows of an elder who was approached by scammers is strongly advised to contact the police. When calling or working with SFPD, residents may use simple English to state their preferred language of service, such as “Cantonese,” “Mandarin” or “Toisanese.”
- Call 9-1-1 for crimes in progress
- Reports can be made at any SFPD District Station
- Call Dispatch at (415) 553-0123 and request an officer to take a report.
- Cantonese speakers can leave tips on a special tip line by calling (415) 553-9212 or 1-855-737-3847
- Information can also be called into the Anonymous Tip Line at (415) 575-4444 or via Text a Tip by texting a message to TIP411 and beginning the message with SFPD.
- To request an SFDA presentation please contact the Victim Services Division via email at: [email protected] or via phone at (628) 652-4100.
Vaccine Scams
While vaccination details are still being worked out here's what you can be sure of:
Other Safety Tips
- The festivities are about celebrating community. Look out for each other and report any suspicious persons or activity to event staff or a police officer. A good adage is, “If you see something, say something.” In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To provide an anonymous tip, call the SFPD Anonymous Tip Line at 1-415-575- 4444.
- Stay informed by signing up for emergency text message alerts by texting the word AlertSF to 888-777. AlertSF allows us to notify you of emergencies in San Francisco.
- Keep your friends close and your drinks closer. Don’t accept drinks from strangers. Drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive - always use a designated driver.
- The San Francisco Bay Area has a host of public transit options that will get you to, from, and around Lunar New Year events.
- If you drive to the festivities, remember to “Park Smart!” Take your valuables with you- don’t leave them inside your car.
- Maintain possession of your cell phone, wallet, and other valuables.
- There is safety in numbers. Stay with a group when on the street or leaving bars and clubs. Be cautious about leaving a bar or club with a stranger. A rule of thumb is that if you feel “unsure” about someone, rely on that instinct and do not go with that person.
Anyone who is confronted by scammers or anyone who knows of an elder who was approached by scammers is strongly advised to contact the police. Reports can be made at any SFPD District Station or by calling Dispatch at 1-415-553-0123 and requesting an officer to take a report.
Cantonese or Mandarin speakers can leave tips on a special tip line by calling 1-415- 558-5588. Information can also be called into the Anonymous Tip Line at 1-415-575- 4444 or via Text a Tip by texting a message to TIP411 and beginning the message with SFPD.