Scams and Fraud and Thailand

Thailand is a beautiful country and a wonderful place to visit or live. Unfortunately, however, Thailand is home to a fair amount scamming and fraud. While such illegal activity exists everywhere, there are a number of scams and fraud schemes that take a specific shape in Thailand that you will want to watch out for. Here are some of the more common scams that people fall victim to in Thailand.

Different Types of Scams in Thailand

Online Dating Scams

Online dating scams are common around the world these days, and Thailand is no exception. Typically, the online dating scammer will pose as an attractive foreigner and engage the victim in a flirtatious conversation. After a certain amount of time, the scammer will ask for a certain amount of money with the promise of returning that amount several times over. The scammer might claim that they know an investment shortcut, or they might claim to be someone very wealthy in need of a small amount of money to secure a larger fortune. Sometimes, the scammer might return a smaller initial investment to the victim at a profit for the purpose of instilling confidence, afterwards asking for a much larger amount. Either way, the victim ends up being cheated out of their money, often finding it hard to track down the scammer because of the false identity assumed on the dating app.

An article in The Thaiger highlighted a few of the ways in which recent events and trends have become intertwined into online dating scams in Thailand. Many scammers have claimed that they are in need of financial relief in the midst of COVID-19, whereas others have exploited the rising popularity of cryptocurrencies in Thailand. Regardless of the specific method an online dating scam takes, it is best to approach romantic-themed apps with caution.

Infidelity Scam

The infidelity scam can be a particularly frightening one. A scammer will send you a message, often on an electronic platform, saying that they know you have been unfaithful to your spouse or significant other. More than that, they have photographic evidence to prove it. They then threaten to deliver this evidence to your significant other if you do not pay a hefty fee. A variation of this scam sees the scammer claim that they have evidence that you are being cheated on by your spouse or significant other, and that they will deliver the evidence to you if you pay a fee.

This scam is a particularly cruel one, as it sees the scammer deepen the wounds that are caused by infidelity for personal gain. Regardless of whether or not the victim has been unfaithful (or has an unfaithful partner), being threatened by a stranger is never a comfortable or pleasant experience.

Business and Consumer Scams

Business and consumer-based scams are also very common in Thailand. Business scams generally involve falsely reported opportunities for small business owners or those wishing to start a business. These scams may take the shape of illegitimate franchise purchase opportunities and pyramid schemes, among others. Because Thailand has a high amount of interaction with outside markets, business scams are common in the country.

Consumer-based scams involve a scammer misleading a potential customer as to circumstance, pricing, or services offered. The US Embassy & Consulate in Thailand has a list of common scams in the country, most of which are consumer-related. These include the closed tourist site scam, in which the scammer claims that a popular site is closed for the day and offers to provide the victim a tour, later attaching to it an exorbitant fee. Another common scam in Thailand involves insincere tuk-tuk drivers, who will make unexpected stops along the route to inflate the fee.

Marriage Fraud

Marriage fraud involves one party entering into the union with hidden motives. When marriages are fraudulent, it is often the case that the dishonest party entered into the marriage to obtain a visa or Green Card. Unfortunately, Thailand is notorious for marriage scams.

How We Can Help

Scammers and con artists often target the most vulnerable. That’s where we come in. Whether you are hoping to avoid or verify a scam or you have been the unfortunate victim of one, we are here to help.

We offer a range of services to help you combat scamming and fraud. These include:

• Background checks
• Investigation and surveillance
• Fraud verification
• Assistance with prosecution/recovery of stolen funds

Let us offer you scam-free peace of mind as you explore Thailand. Contact Us