Temple scam: Thai abbot & Chinese nationals caught in 273 million baht fake amulet scheme

[webfact]

 

The Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) made public that the RTP seized 273 million baht from a Thai abbot and a group of Chinese nationals for selling fake amulets to Chinese tourists at the Buddhist monastery called Kaho Chi Chan or Big Buddha Mountain in Chon Buri province. More than 20 Thai and Chinese people are under arrest.

 

It was the vigilance of residents that brought to light the illegal business activities of the Chinese nationals last month. Reports indicated that these individuals had been enticing Chinese tourists into purchasing fraudulent Buddhist amulets at exorbitant prices. The scam was perpetrated within the confines of the Buddhist monastery, yet the relevant authorities had remained inactive in addressing the matter. The complaint from locals sparked an investigation, which ultimately substantiated the veracity of their claims.

 

Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, addressing the media at the Police Sports Club, provided comprehensive insights into the case’s resolution, detailing the arrests and asset confiscations. The modus operandi involved one of the Chinese businessmen marrying a Thai woman to secure a license for establishing a restaurant within the monastery premises. However, instead of pursuing the restaurant venture, the group exploited the establishment for their amulet-selling enterprise. These amulets, despite costing a mere 400 baht each to produce, were being sold to unsuspecting tourists for over 20,000 baht.

The illicit operation persisted for six months, spanning from January to May of the current year. During this period, the enterprise amassed a staggering income exceeding 100 million baht, enabling the culprits to pay a monthly rent of 150,000 baht to the monastery.

 

Photo of Petch Petpailin 

Photo via Nong Nooch Resort Pattaya

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/temple-scam-thai-abbot-chinese-nationals-caught-in-273-million-baht-fake-amulet-scheme

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-09

 

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[fondue zoo]

They're giving magic a bad name.    

Edited August 9, 2023 by fondue zoo

[stoner]

i know this story. i saw it a few weeks ago.....and a few months ago. off to make merit now. see you.

[LennyW]

I thought they would at least have an amulet to prevent their arrest...

[brianthainess]

43 minutes ago, webfact said:

selling fake amulets to Chinese tourists

There all bloody fake, If people are daft enough to buy into a cult then they deserve getting ripped off. IMO

[4MyEgo]

I wonder what Buddha must be tinking ?

 

[ukrules]

What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell?

 

[fondue zoo]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell?

 

- So, logically--
- If she weighs the same as a duck...
- she's made of wood.
- And therefore?
- A witch!
- A duck! A duck!

Edited August 9, 2023 by fondue zoo

[Enzian]

5 hours ago, ukrules said:

What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell?

I have a large (over 20) collection acquired from a well known, established art dealer in Bangkok who is also a friend. I went through a phase and then stopped. The main thing imo is simply age. It's possible to make fakes that look hundreds of years old but are not, but experienced dealers can tell. Also some are far more appealing aesthetically than others. The enamel and silver inlaid cases that usually hold them are often impressive and a pleasure to own in themselves, but perhaps not as expensive as one might think. But 20,000 baht and up is absurd. 

Also selling and dealing images is considered bad karma by purists, so dealers use the fiction that they are simply renting them to the next party in the line of possession. But I would agree that selling fake ones in a temple setting should result in the worst sort of karma.

Edited August 9, 2023 by Enzian
more

[chickenslegs]

6 hours ago, ukrules said:

What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell?

 

Easy - If you are wearing fake one and you collide, head on, with a concrete truck at over 120kph, you will die.

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

These amulets, despite costing a mere 400 baht each to produce, were being sold to unsuspecting tourists for over 20,000 baht.

Quite the profit margin.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, ukrules said:

What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell?

 

If you walk away from a car accident un-injured... apparently

[jacko45k]

12 hours ago, ukrules said:

What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell?

 

The real ones hover above the ground, 

[Damrongsak]

8 hours ago, ukrules said:

What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell?

Get it appraised by someone with a mojometer.

[Lucky Bones]

17 hours ago, brianthainess said:

There all bloody fake, If people are daft enough to buy into a cult then they deserve getting ripped off. IMO

Amulets or Chinese are fake?

Oh! Sorry....my bad.????????

[Lucky Bones]

13 hours ago, ukrules said:

What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell?

 

Real amulet = you are reading this thread.

Fake amulet = you were bbq'd last week.

????????

Edited August 9, 2023 by Lucky Bones
Fat fingers on small keyboard

[sammieuk1]

17 hours ago, LennyW said:

I thought they would at least have an amulet to prevent their arrest...

There is its wedge shaped ????

[Lucky Bones]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

If you walk away from a car accident un-injured... apparently

Walk or flee?

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

Caveat emptor always springs to mind , but great to see Thailand strict Buddhist traits being shown to the world, the cult of scam and fraud... 

You come into the world with nothing and if your a Buddhist they make damn sure you leave with nothing 

[klauskunkel]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

Surachate Hakparn provided comprehensive insights into the case’s resolution

except for why

19 hours ago, webfact said:

the relevant authorities had remained inactive in addressing the matter

 

[hotchilli]

59 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Walk or flee?

We're talking about fake amulets, not responsibility

[Dionigi]

If someone is prepared to pay for it, and someone else is prepared to pay more money to but it off you, it is real. Same with paintings, sculptures, baseball cards, cigarette cards, antiques and cryptocurrencies, if someone will keep buying it, it is worth money.

[phetphet]

14 hours ago, ukrules said:

What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell?

 

The fake ones didn't stop the perpetrators getting caught. or the victims getting scammed. ????

[mrfill]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Quite the profit margin.

Probably got the idea from Apple

 

[Bangkok Barry]

Third report in three days of monks not behaving like monks should act. Well, the way non-Thai monks act anyway. Thai monk diffrunt mista. No need follow rools.

[bignok]

16 hours ago, ukrules said:

What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell?

 

Real ones are blessed with luck

[Mr Meeseeks]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

These amulets, despite costing a mere 400 baht each to produce, were being sold to unsuspecting tourists for over 20,000 baht.

There's one born every minute. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

10 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Easy - If you are wearing fake one and you collide, head on, with a concrete truck at over 120kph, you will die.

With or without helmet? ????

[digger70]

Real or Fake it doesn't matter There's No magic in them .

It's just a Religious believe that has no power .

An other money spinner for the Monks and sellers .

[mikebell]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

It was the vigilance of residents that brought to light the illegal business activities of the Chinese nationals last month. Reports indicated that these individuals had been enticing Chinese tourists into purchasing fraudulent Buddhist amulets at exorbitant prices.

It's never the result of good police work here.