'The bill in the dark'
In the scorching heat of Bangkok, Huub enters a shadowy bar, looking for adventure. What starts as an innocent evening ends in a cat-and-mouse game with threatening figures and an inexplicable bill. With only his wits and bravado, he tries to escape the shadows of The Last Smile.
Column – The pitfalls of paradise Thailand
Thailand seduces with sun, culture and charm, but behind the smiles sometimes lurks a cunning trap. Tourists are occasionally surrounded by scammers who will empty your wallet faster than your jet lag can go away. From jewelry scams to jet ski scams: paradise has dark sides that will make your vacation unforgettable, but not the way you had hoped.
Thousands of investors fell for the shiny promises of the iCON Group, a classic Ponzi scheme that sold illusions and empty bottles with mountains of gold. Celebrities eagerly joined in, while “Boss Paul” portrays himself as the great savior. But who ever really benefits from such a brilliant deception? The victims have by now become accustomed to the graveyard of disillusionment.
Swiss-Thai couple defrauded when buying villa in Pattaya
A Swiss man and his Thai wife thought they had found their dream home, but fell victim to a scam. After paying a 1 million baht deposit, the property was mortgaged, something the seller had concealed. Their attempt to cancel the purchase led to a legal battle, a partial refund, and a valuable lesson in vigilance.
Ahmet, the epilogue
Love is blind, they say. Unfortunately, for many, this is not just a cliché, but a bitter reality. From the Swede Ahmet to the Turkish Baris; scammers know exactly how to play on desires for love and happiness. What follows are financial losses, broken hearts and harrowing stories, with the only lesson being: no one is immune to deception.
Ahmet, a 42-year-old Swede, was the victim of a scam during his Thai wedding. He lost almost 360.000 baht and was later threatened by the husband of his Thai bride, who was not yet divorced. Despite attempts to report the matter to the police, he received no response and is now seeking help via social media to raise his case.
Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) warns against scammers posing as electricity officials
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) is warning customers about scammers posing as electricity officials. These fraudsters install malicious apps on phones, causing unauthorized bank withdrawals. More than 70 cases have been reported since June. The BAAC calls for vigilance and advises customers to report suspicious requests and contact the bank directly if in doubt.
In a disturbing new form of fraud, scammers are posing as police officers to dupe unsuspecting victims. They approach their targets via video chats and ask for money as proof of innocence. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB) warns against these practices and emphasizes that real police officers will never ask for money through digital means. Report suspicious interactions immediately to authorities.
In the latest episode of “Kees van der Spek: Scammers Tackled”, broadcast on April 30 on RTL 5, Kees returns to Khon Kaen, Thailand. He delves again into the case of businessman Bram and introduces a new story of a Dutchman who was cheated on by his Thai wife. An episode full of revelations and personal struggles.
In response to reports of unlawful overcharges by taxi drivers at the Chatuchak bus terminal, Transport Co. measures taken to protect travelers. These actions include operational adjustments and the introduction of a shuttle bus service, with the company also advising travelers to use the official taxi rank for fair rates.
Taxi Turbulence in Thailand (Reader Submission)
Arrived back in Thailand last Tuesday. What was striking was the very quick handling of passport control, baggage claim and customs. I think this may have something to do with the visit of the Prime Minister of Thailand the day before.
Warning from the Thai government: protect yourself from online scams via fake loan offers
The Thai government is warning citizens about misleading online practices, especially fake loan offers via social media. Recently, the Anti-Fake News Center Thailand exposed a Facebook page that falsely claimed to offer emergency loans from the Government Savings Bank. This step emphasizes the importance of checking information through official channels to protect yourself from possible fraud and deception.
Thai masseuse in Doetinchem scammed by famous customer 'Mark'
A masseuse in Doetinchem has learned a painful lesson about trust after being cheated on by a client named 'Mark'. She lost her savings, intended for a trip to Thailand, after he ran off with it. This incident, which received attention in the 'Crime Scene' investigation program, shows how her trust was unexpectedly violated.
Fight against cybercrime: Thai Prime Minister launches offensive against online scammers
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has unveiled a powerful initiative to tackle the rising threat of online fraud and call center scams. These steps are not only crucial for national security, but also touch on personal threats aimed at the Prime Minister himself. With the establishment of the 1441 helpline and a series of partnerships with cybersecurity organizations, the government is demonstrating its determination to protect both citizens and the integrity of government data.
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) has reached a milestone in the fight against online fraud. Their Anti Online Scam Operation Center (AOC) has frozen as many as 2.004 bank accounts linked to online scams. This action, taken within just 15 minutes of notification, marks a significant acceleration in response time.
Scams of tourists in Thailand: top 10 known tricks
Wherever you go on holiday in the world, you will find scammers everywhere who prey on tourists. Likewise in Thailand. This article provides insight into the most common scams in Thailand. It is mainly intended to warn the unsuspecting tourist.
Dating service scam: Thai women look for foreign partners and lose millions of baht
A mediation service on Facebook promised Thai women their ideal foreign partner. However, after paying significant amounts of money, the love seekers wait in vain. The losses incurred run into hundreds of millions of baht. This scandal raises questions about the integrity of online matchmaking services and the vulnerability of people looking for love or a partner.
Thailand and Cambodia join forces against phone scams
At a recent conference in Danang, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia expressed concerns about the growing scourge of call center scams. The two countries have agreed to cooperate and take coordinated actions against this form of international fraud. With this collaboration they hope to put a stop to the scams that cause many victims.
Where can I complain about fraud by my forwarder in Bangkok? As I wrote last time, 2800 kg of stainless steel had disappeared from the 8000 kg. I suspect in response to the accountant and a number of acquaintances who called and a person went to customs in Bangkok on my behalf.
Little suffering in Pattaya
It's time again for a light-hearted story from Pattaya, which has been acclaimed by many and maligned by a few. Anyone who knows the way a little knows a story about how a farang is cheated by a bargirl. This is one of those, nothing really special, it's minor suffering, but still nice to tell.
Dutchman from Phuket suspected of millions of scams
A 37-year-old Dutchman, Wesley H., who lives in Kathu, Phuket, was arrested last Thursday at Suvarnabhumi Airport on suspicion of a multimillion-dollar online investment scam.
Gangbang in Pattaya
I can not help it. I know it's not right, it's not appropriate, it's unethical, maybe even rude, but it just happens. If you have been interested in Thailand for a while, then you have heard many stories about what can go wrong in a relationship between a Thai lady and a Farang.