Crime
Five Thai and Nigerian Busted in Online Romance Scam
BANGKOK – Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau has told a media briefing that immigration police have arrested six people for allegedly conducting a romance scam causing damage worth about 2.5 million baht.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn said the six arrested suspects consisted of five Thai people and a Nigerian. They were among ten suspects wanted for the scam.
The arrested people included those who were tasked with withdrawing money from ATMs and opening bank accounts to receive money from victims. The scam was active in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Rayong, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Sakon Nakhon provinces.
Three other suspects are Nigerians who fled the country and the other suspect was identified with a Facebook photo.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate said a Nigerian suspect in the case had obtained a guardian visa to prolong his stay in Thailand to commit the crime.
Immigration police would closely supervise brokers at immigration police offices to curb the crime, he said.
Source: TNA, MCOT