Key deposits are normally small 200 to 500 baht and why would you pay that in advance? Obvious scam right there. Never trust your wife with money again.
Stick to Agoda.
Well no but that gives him another country to stay in for a while so flight isnt wasted. The passport should have a stamp in it if banned. Cambodia has 1 year visas for $300 over 55yo so an option maybe.