Fake football package tour swindles 30m baht from 10 devastated victims

[webfact]

Surachate, Image courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

by Mitch Connor

An estimated 30 million baht has reportedly been swindled from ten individuals who booked a fraudulent package tour to watch a football match in England, according to authorities. Deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn revealed that several victims faced severe financial difficulties after using their life savings to pay for the trip.

 

Surachate stated that the tour organiser has been apprehended, but it remains uncertain how the 30 million baht can be recovered to reimburse the victims. He also mentioned that similar scams involving fake travel packages have been on the rise since borders reopened following the pandemic.

One of the victims, Pallop Chuniam, approached the deputy national police for assistance yesterday. Pallop informed Surachate that he and other victims had booked and paid for a package tour to attend a football match between Liverpool and Arsenal teams. However, they later discovered the trip was a hoax, and their attempts to secure a refund were unsuccessful.

 

Pallop explained that the tour was promoted on a YouTube channel featuring celebrities as presenters of the so-called “Happy Trips” to make it appear legitimate. “I was cheated out of 450,000 baht. Other victims paid varying amounts for the fraudulent tour,” he said.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/fake-football-package-tour-swindles-30m-baht-from-10-devastated-victims

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-05-16

 

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[anchadian]

450,000 baht for a trip to see a UK football match.  In some cases their life savings.

 

I trust the visa fee was included in the price.

[sammieuk1]

Wondering how this adds up to 30m but never mind the details follow the money ????

[Wiggy]

That’s an average price of 3m baht each - to watch a football match?

A fool and his money are soon parted.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Pallop explained that the tour was promoted on a YouTube channel featuring celebrities as presenters of the so-called “Happy Trips” to make it appear legitimate. “I was cheated out of 450,000 baht. Other victims paid varying amounts for the fraudulent tour,” he said.

Jeez...