A 56-year-old man who touched a 29-year-old woman "inappropriately" after telling her he was a Taoist master who could perform a ritual to improve her health has been charged with sexual assault, according to Burnaby RCMP.
The charges stem from a police report on Aug. 5, according to a police news release.
The woman told police a man approached her at Crystal Mall and told her he was a Taoist master and Chinese medicine practitioner who could perform the "cleansing ritual" on her, police said.
The woman and suspect then drove to another location for the ritual, during which the victim was allegedly "touched inappropriately," according to the release.
Tianjin Gong has now been charged with one count of sexual assault in relation to the incident.
He was arrested at a Richmond mall on Aug. 22 and has been released on conditions, including not contacting the alleged victim and not leaving the province.
"We want the public to be aware of this scam to prevent further victims," Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Mike Kalanj said in the release.
"We would encourage anyone who has information to contact our investigators."
Anyone who may have had contact with the accused is asked to call Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999. Quote file number 2024-26628.
The investigation is ongoing, according to police.
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