Blackjack, a through card
While waiting for the Skytrain, I talk to a good English-speaking man who says he is 45 years old. Naturally, the almost self-evident question in Thailand is where I come from. He responds very enthusiastically and informs me that his sister is leaving for Amsterdam next month to work there as a nurse. Given the shortage of medically trained personnel, this is a completely credible story.
Daniel, he introduces himself, calls his sister in my presence and tells her in English that he has met me, a Dutchman from the Amsterdam area. I get Anna on the phone and she would love to meet me. Daniel proposes to go with him to his house and given his appearance I agree to his request. Via the metro and subsequent taxi ride I arrive at a neat house and immediately get something to drink. A little later his not unattractive 30-year-old sister comes in and greets me most kindly. Asks the shirt of my body with great interest about all kinds of things in the Netherlands and specifically about Amsterdam.
Uncle Rudy
A little later Uncle Rudy comes in and he also speaks reasonable English with a light American accent. Explains that he works as a croupier in a cruise ship casino and that he is mainly responsible for the blackjack part. He also lists a number of routes where he has been. When I have explained to his niece the necessary information about her future stay in the Netherlands, he is willing to tell me a little more about his work. So far it all seems nice and credible to me.
The playroom
A little later 'nurse Anna' proposes to go upstairs where uncle is waiting for me to tell something about his work.
Rudy sits behind a table and asks me to sit opposite him. Anna sits in the chair next to me and I get lessons in the card game blackjack. The game is not completely unknown to me, but I am now gaining insight into the tricks that are used in this game, according to Rudy. In short, as a player you always lose from the combine bank and opponent. Anna already puts a hand on my thigh and looks at me more and more lovingly, while I still start to wonder in which company I have ended up. Don't trust it all so and wait patiently and wary to see how this game goes on.
Sultanate of Brunei
A little later a neat older gentleman enters, introduces himself nicely to me and learns that he comes from the Sultanate of Brunei on Malaysian Borneo. Diligently croupier Rudy takes out the chips and wants me to play against the guest who has come in. With a big wink he lets me know that he will apply the tricks just explained to me and that I can collect the necessary money.
Cloak decides
Get up right away and tell them I'm leaving and don't wish to play. The gentlemen look at me in bewilderment and Anna's loving look is nowhere to be seen. Downstairs I meet Daniel again and make it clear to him that I've got a bitter taste in my mouth to say the least and don't believe anything of his story. Anna is nowhere to be seen in fields or roads.
Foolishly, I gave her my business card. I look forward to hearing from her next month. Frankly, I don't believe it at all.
Dear Jos, if you are approached by a Thai in Thailand, you should always be on your guard. Thai don't just talk to foreigners, unless they want to earn money from you.
It's wise that you ran away otherwise you would have become a victim of a well-known scammer's trick and that would probably have cost you a lot of money.
Do we just speak to strangers in the Netherlands?
Whether you are in Thailand or the Netherlands, strangers are generally only addressed if:
– Something crazy, striking or something else striking happens before the eyes of various spectators.
- Someone comes to the aid of another. This will usually be real ("Excuse me, you dropped this"), but scammers also sometimes use this as a distraction or introduction.
– That kite also goes up when you walk around with a big question mark above your head: the lost or unknown tourist. I myself have the impression that most people look at you but don't quickly ask if they can help you. A small part (somewhat more extroverted) does, but be careful here too, because it naturally also attracts people (vultures) who think they can earn money so easily.
– You are looking for help yourself, preferably we speak to someone who, given the clothing, seems to have a function (employee) and may therefore be familiar with things
– At social occasions: a restaurant, bar, dance hall, party or other event, but everyone has a good time between all sorts of strangers.
But on the street or in the train, out of the blue? That doesn't happen so quickly wherever you are in the world. If it happens then, in my opinion, first after some eye contact, a smile back and forth, etc. Usually there must be something special. Of course it also depends on the setting. When I walk around the city (Bangkok, The Hague) there is little or no contact with strangers. If I walk through a farming hamlet, it may very well happen that farmer Teun or Somkiat greets, start a conversation. In the village of my in-laws, while strolling around, I have often enough been addressed in Thai or English by complete strangers to me, asked to speak some English with the children or to grab a bite to eat.
Most contacts with strangers are of course positive, most people have a good, warm heart, so it is certainly not the case that you should be constantly suspicious, then you will make your own life very miserable.
Expect the good, but if someone has a special proposal, be wary. And if it's too good to be worth, it often is. If someone tells you how you can easily earn money, you can be sure that that person will also earn more than you. A good response is therefore “Shhh, don't tell me or anyone else, but keep it to yourself, and you'll be rich!” and leave that seller or scammer astounded. 555
NB: Jos, what you have experienced is a well-known scammer's trick. Among other things treated in a Dutch TV program. “Scammers Abroad” I thought? I have not seen myself.
That's right, indeed it was on TV, I don't remember if it was played in Thailand. He was lucky that he could get away normally. Saw on TV that the person who wanted to leave was treated aggressively. Always be careful.
In my opinion, it is advisable to follow the wise lessons of mothers not to accept sweets from strangers.
This is a well-known scam trick that is also widely used in Vietnam by the Philippines. Identical story is held there. Narcotic in your drink or food and the unsuspecting tourist loses the necessary money. They are also willing to take you to the ATM. You were lucky that you managed to get out unscathed.
This is an old trick to empty your wallet and why is he calling his sister English?
Here's an episode of being scammed abroad with the exact same trick but in Vietnam
https://youtu.be/5AoFQD2wSbQ
Exactly. This was also covered in one of the broadcasts “Scammers abroad” by Kees van der Spek. Thai people will rarely approach you out of the blue. If that happens for whatever reason, be extra careful.!!
Now I happen to know Jos, he had told me the story before. I already scolded him about how stupid and naive he had been.
Indeed, he ran away in time, but it could have been too late. After his refusal to play, the crooks could also have taken rigorous measures to empty his pockets.
Incidentally, I think that he was not approached by a man at all, but by that attractive woman whom he later says he met. Of course he denies it, but I think he just went for the axe, you know it… a k.. pulls harder than 10 horses!
No Gringo it was a guy not a woman. Incidentally, I would have dared to mention that in my story if that had been the case. And to be honest, I would have been much more alert and definitely not gone. Obviously I shouldn't have gone with that guy but that's hindsight.
This story has been featured extensively in the TV show Scammers Abroad.
But that was in Vietnam.
Sorry, was already mentioned.
I had the same conversation in Phnom Penh two years ago. That man also had a sister who went to work as a nurse in Rotterdam or something like that. Not further elaborated. Besides, an Asian doesn't appeal to you that easily. Then there is always something behind it. And, if they start with My Friend, then the alarm bells should go off. Still lucky that Jos got off so easily. Usually the door locks behind you and you have a big problem if you want to leave.
Well-known trick that is often performed by Filipinos (hence the good English). They mainly operate in Cambodia, but have recently also appeared in Thailand. Be wary , especially if they offer you food and drink . Often there is a remedy in this to make you less aware, making you an easy prey.
Wisely done to walk away.
I experienced the same in HCMC in Vietnam with people from the Philippines.
The fellow player who would be scammed by us was also from Brunei and would be very rich.
It was a funny experience but quite transparent.
Still watch out!!!
The hunting grounds of this kind of practice are also restaurants in shopping malls such as SME in Bangkok. I was once approached by a woman who presented herself as a Vietnamese businesswoman in an 'American restaurant'. I was eating and then she asked if she could sit at my table. Eating alone is so uncomfortable, she said. She only had a cup of coke. So food was out of the question. Whole story about her company and several attempts were made to convince me to come along. Of course I was also listened to a lot. She could also help me with shopping and in the evening she wanted to dance with me, etc. I left her offers for what they were because I sometimes watch scam programs. Incidentally, I have heard the Amsterdam hospital story twice by tailors as an opening story. Only they were now in Amsterdam and not present. And I was only supposed to order quite a bit. I've now resigned myself to saying London or Berlin next time when asked where I'm from. Let's see if there are many Thai people working in the hospitals there.
If they ask where you're from, say Foodland. Most don't know where that is!!555
(Unfortunately) nothing new under the sun. The program 'Scammed abroad' once devoted a broadcast to such impostors.
The same trick happened to me in 1987 in the Philippines. Went home from a "friend" where
I met a croupier, who worked in a casino and a wealthy businessman, who took his money
wanted to help with blackjack. He would tell me when to bet,
Now I am not at all someone who plays blackjack and immediately leaves the house when "the penny dropped".
It turned out that the "Lonely Planet" guide already warned about this scam. I'm surprised that
this trick is still being used after 30 years.
Just like responding to people's greed with ′′ ball ball ′′ 🙂
The same thing happened to me in 2010 in Hanoi. Incidentally, I suspect that if you accept the proposal, you will never get to play in that casino, but that they will bet on your 'blind greed' and conjure up some costs for you to win….
Much the same thing happened to me in Bangkok in 1985. It was my first time there and I was approached on the street (Sukhumvit) by a man who spoke good English.
The next day I was picked up by him and we went by taxi (free for me) to a nice house somewhere in Bangkok.
At first they asked for money to buy blood for his sister (who had to have an operation) but because I pretended to look after the little ones, the conversation took a turn: the intention was that I would go to Genting Highland (Malaysia) to to gamble there and then I would win (with the cooperation of a corrupt croupier) ...
Then I knew what was going on… the bad luck was that I just came from Malaysia and I don't like gambling.
They were true amateurs. So transparent!
No, these are scammers, you are lucky that they let you go, normally they demand money for advice and drinks.
Also occurs in the Philippines, exactly the same method.
Peter
I came across similar scammers in Bali with a similar attractive sister who went to work in Amsterdam in nursing that was 13 years ago. A year later I saw them again but in Kuala Lumpur They didn't recognize me but I did. Less fresh if you don't want to participate. No blackjack but poker was the proposal.
Hello Jos,
I experienced exactly the same thing in Manila twenty years ago.
Meet a beautiful lady on the street who strikes up a conversation. In short: her sister went to work in Belgium for the company dredging international. That was the company I rented my house to.
So I take a taxi to her house at her expense. In the house the same scenario including the man from Brunei. I also got suspicious and started walking barefoot.
I was told that a few moments later fake cops would barge in and accuse me of illegal gambling. I think I just escaped.
Greetings
Jules
This is as old as the road to Rome. Did the same thing back in the '80s. But then they used the truck from "Hey, I remember you from the airport" I 'why?' He “I work at immigration, I have a nice house to rent for little money, come and have a look” The rest was the same, it was about gambling with cards. Was also Blackjack or as we call it 21tigen. Long story.
I think you were very lucky with all the naivety you showed in going with a strange person to their house or wherever. Isn't that something you teach your kids? Don't go with strangers and so on.
I've also experienced that kind of lure stories a few times. But then they wanted me to buy rubies and emeralds for a bargain price, with which I could make a fortune in the Netherlands. The third to attempt to do so was the last in a ten-year span. When I took over his story and told him that he should come up with a new one, he started protesting that now is the time to take wealth from stingy tourists.
Perhaps the story here is the newer variety and they listened to my proposal ten years ago?
On “Bangkokscams” you can read what tricks people use and you have been warned. The gemstones, your rubies, are discussed in detail. One of the most common tricks. Grandpalace closed sir. I know a nice temple. Tuk tuk also in the plot is already waiting. At the temple you strike up a conversation with a neatly dressed man, etc.