These people conned an old woman out of £200,000 and you can help catch them

A 73-year-old was conned out of her life savings by three suspects who convinced her to take part in a spiritual ritual

A 73-year-old woman was conned out of £200,000 of cash and jewellery by three suspects who convinced her she needed to take part in a spiritual ritual to banish 'bad spirits'. They exchanged the money and jewellery for bags of flour while taking part in a ritual in Newport city centre.

The crime appeared on Crimewatch Live this week with horrified presenter Michelle Ackerley describing it as "such a manipulative, calculated scam to just draw money out of the victim".

The three women allegedly befriended a 73-year-old woman while in Newport city centre and offered to organise the ritual to help the victim and keep her family safe in exchange for money. The three women are described as having short black hair, aged between 30 and 50 with the ability to speak Cantonese.

Gwent Police officers have carried out various enquiries and are now asking for help to identify a woman in CCTV who was seen in the area buying flour and may be able to help police with their investigations.

They also shared a map identifying the key areas in the investigation and CCTV of a second woman they would like to speak to:

PSI Jay Clark told Crimewatch Live: "The victim was out doing her shopping in Newport city centre when she was approached by a woman on Commercial Street. The woman said to the victim that she needed some help with her husband who was ill whereby another woman came and said she knew of a person who could help - a spiritual healer of some sort.

"The trio then walked to the area around Newport city footbridge whereby a third woman came out and told the victim she was unable to see the spiritual healer because she had lots of bad spirits around her. They said the reason she had bad spirits was because her family were in imminent danger but that could be resolved if she want home took all her cash savings and jewellery and had it cleansed."

One of the suspects then travelled back with the victim, while the other two suspects bought flour and newspaper to exchange the money.

PSI Clark continued: "They all came back to the exchange point where one of the suspects lead to the victim to the footbridge to say a ritual. While that was going on the suspects were exchanging the £200,000 worth of cash and goods for bags of flour.

"They preyed on her vulnerabilities and her spiritual beliefs and unfortunately she has lost a considerable amount of money."

If you recognise anyone in the CCTV, or if you have any information, please contact Gwent Police via the website, social media or 101 quoting log reference 2400168940.