Foreigners in Thailand warned about people impersonating immigration officers

[ChipButty]

Ive always said if you want to stop corruption in Thailand, start at the airports

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A warning posted on the Immigration Bureau’s Facebook page, reads “currently there are immigration police impersonators who conduct unlawful activities.

Nah I better not.

[Pattaya Spotter]

Good luck finding anyone who speaks English at any of the numbers or agencies one is to contact to verify an officer's identity. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, John Drake said:

And if you do that, and they are legitimate Immigration officers? Does that get you put on the ship list?

And off the Xmas card list for sure.

[Bim Smith]

If the ID is fake wouldn't the number on the ID also be fake. So what would be the point in phoning the number on that ID.

[RubbaJohnny]

Luckily there is no possibility of obtaining fake ID cards in such a law abiding realm, although I've heard possibly faux news of fake marriages, orgasms, elections, democracy, Rolexes even  all from a former Zulu Gurkha/Seal?Spetnatz?SAS  friend . The great thing about the Land of Scams there's a new one coming like an express to Bangsu, one might even say a HUB.

[Darkside Gray]

5 hours ago, JoePai said:

I've found the worst people impersonating immigration officers are the immigration officers themselves !

Beat me to it!

[RubbaJohnny]

1 minute ago, Bim Smith said:

If the ID is fake wouldn't the number on the ID also be fake. So what would be the point in phoning the number on that ID.

They'll not fool you Sherlock. Many newcomers from law abiding lands asume that cops are basically honest law enforcement rather than a gang, those here longer know the reality. Not every officer is a murderous abuser but a system of payment for preferment , advancement, debt and inability to be a whistleblower at the bottom is endemic .

[ChipButty]

5 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Good luck finding anyone who speaks English at any of the numbers or agencies one is to contact to verify an officer's identity. 

Always makes me laugh that one, when you call and it says "Press" #2 for English, Sawat dee Ka 

[jomtienisgood]

5 hours ago, Shuya said:

Jomtien Soi 5 is full of them

What foreigner would like to pretend he's an IO???? 55555

[Lacessit]

The only contact I have had with Immigration officers is at an Immigration office. No-one there has asked for any more than the correct amount.

OTOH, try Thai Customs for real extortion. I've just paid 2500 baht tax on secondhand golf clubs sent to me from Australia.

They were valued as new, even though they were obviously used. They've got you over a barrel, pay up or you don't get the goods. Scumbags.

[trainman34014]

Why arn't they more worried about Soldiers Impersonating Politicians in Government House ?

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, ChipButty said:

They are a bit late with this, it's been going on for years down in Phuket.

What about people impersonating police officers?

...impersonating police officers.

 

Reminds me that years back opposite the old immigration office on Soi Suan Plu there was a shop which sold every item of police kit: shirts, jackets, pants, belts, shoes, caps, helmets, medals and insignia. Big window at the front with lots of clothes etc., on display for all to see.

 

Anybody welcome to walk in and buy anything, no ID check whatever. 

 

In those days I often parked outside of this shop, it always had customers.

 

A Thai friend went in one time with his farang work buddy (both refusing to believe anybody could walk in and buy), both bought several items, no ID check, no questions asked.  

Edited July 13, 2021 by scorecard

[eastendanto]

5 hours ago, ChipButty said:

They are a bit late with this, it's been going on for years down in Phuket.

What about people impersonating police officers?

What about police officers impersonating people!! Have any been spotted ????????????

[klauskunkel]

It's not only people impersonating Immigration Officers, but also the occasional Toyota sedan dressing up as a BMW SmartCar. The gall, really!

 

[overt2016]

5 hours ago, ChipButty said:

They are a bit late with this, it's been going on for years down in Phuket.

What about people impersonating police officers?

It is impossible for a person to impersonate a police officer!?

[Ginner]

6 hours ago, JoePai said:

I've found the worst people impersonating immigration officers are the immigration officers themselves !

Check their ID in a country which can make fake passports, fake Thai ID, fake Degrees, Fake visas, and fake Armani all look like the real thing. If you get stopped call the immigration hot line and tell them to check them out. 

[Scott Tracy]

1 hour ago, Bim Smith said:

If the ID is fake wouldn't the number on the ID also be fake. So what would be the point in phoning the number on that ID.

 

If the number is fake, no problem. You've confirmed a villain. The problem is, that the fraudster may be in cahoots with someone at the other end of the phone. What to do then?

[Magenta408]

I check if they are wearing sandals or shoes. That's a dead give away. We have a president imitating to be a president. Top that.

[Mavideol]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Foreigners in Thailand have been warned about people impersonating immigration officers in a bid to extort money. 

There is no extortion/bribery/prostitution/corruption, etc. of any kind in Thailand, you guys are just bashing "bashing" Thailand  5555555

 

P.S: the above comments may have sarcasm intent

[Mavideol]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Foreigners in Thailand have been warned about people impersonating immigration officers

what about a soldier/military impersonating a PM

what about a construction magnate impersonating a Health Minister

what about a "drug" impersonating as Deputy Agriculture Minister

what about a "gold watch dealer"  impersonating a democratically elected official

[kimamey]

contact the organisation listed on the ID card to verify the person is who they say they are.

 

So contact the number on what might be a fake ID card to check they are genuine. That'll certainly work if they are so stupid to put a genuine number on their fake ID.

 

If they turn out to be genuine how happy will they be?

Edited July 13, 2021 by kimamey

[vinci]

these impersonating immigration officers have no idea what they are getting into, you will not get a penny out of them, they will confront you before they part their money, they even confront real officer let alone fake

[jdlhalliday]

How do we know if the police id card is legit ? The example is blurred and anyone can knock up a copy anyway. 

The best way is to only deal with Immigration at the Immigration office, certainly not on the street or even if they visit you at home. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

If he speaks good English...... beware.

 

If he speaks ANY English..... beware!

 

[Doctor Tom]

7 hours ago, ChipButty said:

They are a bit late with this, it's been going on for years down in Phuket.

What about people impersonating police officers?

The thing to do is tell them that you are not really a farang at all,  see what they do with that information. 

[dallen52]

Maybe someone has stepped on someone else's toes?

[moe666]

5 hours ago, hkt83100 said:

You always get extorted if you try to buy a vehicle, extend your driving license or do whatever requires a confirmation of residence. Did you ever get a receipt for the "fee"? 

You can always go the legal route and pay 50 dollars to your Embassy or Consulate, and you do get a reciept

[EricTh]

I don't mind a sexy girl impersonating an immigration officer.

 

[timberpond]

It simply means that if you are paying an immigration officer, please make sure he is really one. But you still have to pay.