Thai man posed as Pattaya cop to rip off British pensioner for 200,000 baht

[webfact]

Thai man posed as Pattaya cop to rip off British pensioner for 200,000 baht

 

Picture: Pattaya News

 

Police in Pattaya have arrested a man who was posing as a police officer to extort money.

 

Back in May 2018 Peter William John Stonebridge, 66, from the UK had been contacted by someone claiming to be a policeman by the name of Theerachart.

 

Mr Stonebridge mistakenly believed he knew Theerachart and fell for his story that his son needed an urgent operation and could he borrow money for a few days. 

 

He transferred 200,000 baht to him via an account under a woman's name (Phanphit Phatpheng) in Nong Bua Lamphu in Thailand's north east. 

 

Picture: Pattaya News

 

A few days later when it was time to return the money Theerachart disappeared. Inquiries at Pattaya police station revealed that there was no one of that name working there. 

 

In December of 2017 posing as "Sergeant Kitisak" the same man had ripped off another businessman to the tune of 30,000 baht. 

 

Police inquiries in Pattaya and Phuket established that the fraudster was responsible for a string of cons posing as a police officer to rip off traders, hoteliers and business people for tea money in protection rackets. 

 

Finally their inquiries led to Suchart "Num" Sombatchai, 34, who was arrested at Nong Bua Lamphu hospital and brought back to Pattaya. 

 

There station chief Pol Col Apichai Krobpetch charged him with impersonating a police officer and fraud.

 

Evidence in the form of the bank account, a phone and several SIM cards tied up the case against Suchart. 

 

Source: Pattaya News

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-10-09

[darksidedog]

Good. One rotten scumbag down. Sadly there are plenty more out there, but good work by the BIB on this one.

[Dmaxdan]

Yes, but will Mr Stonebridge have is money returned? Or has it gone for good?

 

I think that no matter how big your heart and/or your bank balance is, you have to have some sort of solid proof before handing over large sums of money, what ever the reason you are being given. Thinking you may know someone is not enough in my book. 

[NCC1701A]

39 minutes ago, webfact said:

a string of cons posing as a police officer to rip off traders, hoteliers and business people for tea money in protection rackets. 

wow. these people must have a long history of dealing with business as usual cops to fall for this.

[Rimmer]

Off topic post removed

[Esso49]

And full credit to the Royal Thai police for supporting the claim of a British pensioner and arresting the crook.  Proves that some of them are good cops.

[Thian]

2 years ago some fake cops blackmailed a japanese clubowner in BKK...after he went to another policedepartment (who helped him) the fake cops had disappeared....have they ever been found?

[happy chappie]

To lend a Thai money is to give a Thai money and an old fool is easily parted from his money.i would rather stick my money on a donkey in the grand national than lend to a Thai.

[4MyEgo]

They must be glad it wasn't one of their own with all the publicity of late out there 

 

[balo]

3 hours ago, Esso49 said:

Proves that some of them are good cops.

Most of them are good cops , just all the negativity on TV and media that make us think they are all bad. Maybe only 10% of them are what you would define as "bad". 

 

[4MyEgo]

4 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

Yes, but will Mr Stonebridge have is money returned? Or has it gone for good?

 

I think that no matter how big your heart and/or your bank balance is, you have to have some sort of solid proof before handing over large sums of money, what ever the reason you are being given. Thinking you may know someone is not enough in my book. 

I have a simple rule, no lending money to anyone, no matter what the situation, i.e. it's not my responsibility to bail others out, been there done that many years ago before and it doesn't end well, friendships lost, family tensions, I am comfortable saying no, and your only human to feel guilty, but I have learnt to accept that I will not help and if people put me down or look at me in another light, well so be it.

 

[RichardColeman]

NO fool like a 'big hearted' old fool

[petermik]

Ney lender or borrower I be.....

[Happy Grumpy]

Surprised he wasn't offered a job.

[phantomfiddler]

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

NO fool like a 'big hearted' old fool

On the contrary !!! It proves that Peter Stonebridge still has a heart, good on ya, Peter, and I hope you get the cash back ????

[trainman34014]

Lesson number one.......Never 'lend' money to a Thai because to them 'lend' means 'gift' !

[observer90210]

Full credit to the Patts Police for the well conducted investigation and apprehension of the scoundrel,  scamming the elderly.

 

Such con artists use the similar play in Europe with the elderly, posing as distant nephews and many people have been cheated of large amounts of money.

 

At one point of age, it seems important to be with somebody fully trustworthy to watch on you and your finances, and that's where things get tricky tough. As when it comes to money, even families or the immediate kith and kin,  can behave like animals just to grab money. Sad world sometimes.

[atyclb]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

the fraudster was responsible for a string of cons posing as a police officer to rip off traders, hoteliers and business people for tea money in protection rackets. 

 

likely real police were concerned these monies were being misdirected to the fake police at their loss 

[oldrunner]

How many times does one have to see the "my son (actually works better with "my young daughter") needs emergency surgery in (pick a country) and I need xxx,xxx,xxx Baht please and fall for it? As the famous PT Barnum said "A fool and his money are soon parted".

[stud858]

It took me a few small mishaps to realize it's OK to say No and not feel guilty.

Everyone repeat after me, " No, sorry I can't. "

and then.

"My money is locked in term deposit at the moment. I'm happy to help in non financial way."

 

[Bangkok Barry]

6 hours ago, happy chappie said:

To lend a Thai money is to give a Thai money and an old fool is easily parted from his money.i would rather stick my money on a donkey in the grand national than lend to a Thai.

 

Usually, yes. But I have lent money to family members several times, sometimes quite a large amount, and it has always been paid back on time usually by instalments. The only exception was a Bangkok taxi driver who borrowed 20,000 for his daughter's wedding, which then didn't happen. He didn't pay it back in one sum, but did so over a period of a couple of years. I was impressed with the effort he made to honour his debt. Now he lives a simple life in a field in Issan near me and much prefers that life to driving a taxi in Bangkok.

[wwest5829]

4 hours ago, balo said:

Most of them are good cops , just all the negativity on TV and media that make us think they are all bad. Maybe only 10% of them are what you would define as "bad". 

 

Same truth as in USA. Unfortunately, too many good cops will not denounce the “rotten apple”.

[happy chappie]

19 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Usually, yes. But I have lent money to family members several times, sometimes quite a large amount, and it has always been paid back on time usually by instalments. The only exception was a Bangkok taxi driver who borrowed 20,000 for his daughter's wedding, which then didn't happen. He didn't pay it back in one sum, but did so over a period of a couple of years. I was impressed with the effort he made to honour his debt. Now he lives a simple life in a field in Issan near me and much prefers that life to driving a taxi in Bangkok.

Your a very lucky man.the problem is that you have now become the family interest free bank.

[Bangkok Barry]

49 minutes ago, happy chappie said:

Your a very lucky man.the problem is that you have now become the family interest free bank.

 

Why is that a problem?

[Media1]

10 hours ago, happy chappie said:

To lend a Thai money is to give a Thai money and an old fool is easily parted from his money.i would rather stick my money on a donkey in the grand national than lend to a Thai.

Yes

[happy chappie]

7 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Why is that a problem?

No.not my problem.

[happy chappie]

9 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Usually, yes. But I have lent money to family members several times, sometimes quite a large amount, and it has always been paid back on time usually by instalments. The only exception was a Bangkok taxi driver who borrowed 20,000 for his daughter's wedding, which then didn't happen. He didn't pay it back in one sum, but did so over a period of a couple of years. I was impressed with the effort he made to honour his debt. Now he lives a simple life in a field in Issan near me and much prefers that life to driving a taxi in Bangkok.

Do you know what's better than family lending.my family that don't ask me for nothing.

[mikebell]

Lots of bogus cops working in soi 9.

[seahorse]

On 10/9/2018 at 8:46 AM, phantomfiddler said:

On the contrary !!! It proves that Peter Stonebridge still has a heart, good on ya, Peter, and I hope you get the cash back ????

Does anyone have Mr Stonebridge's contact details? I have a bridge to sell. 

[Gandtee]

I had an email from a supposed friend of mine asking for money because he had been robbed in Bangkok. I replied I could help him with anything except money. I phoned another friend who told me the requester was at home with his family and knew nothing about this. Never send money. Present it hand to hand or not at all.