Victims lose millions in "Professor Nong" fake tour scam

[webfact]

Victims lose millions in "Professor Nong" fake tour scam

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Police in Bangkok announced the arrest of a man known as "Ajarn Nong" (professor Nong) who sold millions of baht in non-existent foreign tours to thousands of Thai people.

 

Pattharik Retakun, 40, was arrested at Suphalai City Resort in Ramkhamhaeng.

 

Pol Lt-Gen Piya Thayo said that the suspect gained the confidence of potential tourists by taking civil servants on tours. 

 

People were persuaded to part with anything from 10,000 baht to 100,000 baht on foreign tours for a fraction of the normal price. 

 

To get the "special offer" they needed to pay in full and up to two years in advance.

 

Thai Rath said it was all run like a Ponzi scheme. 

 

About 280 people have formally complained to police though the number of victims could be much higher with losses of around 70 million baht. 

 

The suspect has denied charges of fraud mentioned in a warrant for his arrest. He said it was a cash flow problem.

 

Further victims have been urged to contact the Hua Mark police.

 

The suspect was expected to appear in court today and an application to deny bail was being made by police. 

 

Source: Thai Rath

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-08-07

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

[keith101]

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

The suspect has denied charges of fraud mentioned in a warrant for his arrest. He said it was a cash flow problem.

Yes he has spent it all and has none left .

[RotBenz8888]

11 minutes ago, webfact said:

He said it was a cash flow problem.

Your right, professor, the flow of cash went down your pockets and got stuck there.

Edited August 7, 2019 by RotBenz8888

[Oztruckie]

A fool and his money is easily parted,if something sounds too good or too cheap to be true,it usually is.

[Isaanbiker]

To get the "special offer" they needed to pay in full and up to two years in advance.

 

That says it all, doesn't it? Who in their right mind would do that? 

[worgeordie]

Professor Nong, with a Ph D in scamming .

regards Worgeordie

[Cadbury]

38 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Professor Nong, with a Ph D in scamming .

regards Worgeordie

Scamming is such a pejorative word. Some would call it Thai innovation. The PM should be proud they are contributing to the improved world ranking in the Global Innovation Index. 

https://news.thaivisa.com/article/38210/pm-happy-with-thailands-improved-ranking-in-global-innovation-index-2019

[madmitch]

They must be the oldest group of policemen I have ever seen!