Russians conned in 720,000 baht Phuket villa booking scam

[snoop1130]

 

A Russian couple is hundreds of thousands of baht out of pocket after falling for a villa rental booking scam in Phuket.

 

The Phuket News reports that the couple made a pre-payment of 720,000 baht for a villa booking, only to arrive in Phuket and find that no such booking existed.

 

It’s understood the couple is being assisted by the Phuket Tourist Police after they filed a complaint at Cherngtalay Police Station.

 

By Peter Roche

Caption: PHOTO: Facebook/Phuket Tourist Police ตำรวจท่องเที่ยวภูเก็ต

 

Full story: Phuket GO 2024-02-08

 

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[Mavideol]

couldn't happen to better people,  the scammers got scammed 555

[Stocky]

30 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

pre-payment of 720,000 baht

USD20k
Talk about gullible.

[OneMoreFarang]

720,000 down payment.

I like to see a couple of pictures of that villa. 

[Stocky]

7 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I like to see a couple of pictures of that villa. 

 

It backs onto a private beach

 

Edited February 8 by Stocky

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, Mavideol said:

couldn't happen to better people,  the scammers got scammed 555

Rather a sad comment... 

[soalbundy]

Due diligence was missing here. The money has flown to those who appreciate it.

[steven100]

The draft dodgers couldn't dodge the Thai scammer. 

[stevenl]

5 minutes ago, steven100 said:

The draft dodgers couldn't dodge the Thai scammer. 

I very much doubt the scammers are Thai.

[daveAustin]

13 hours ago, Mavideol said:

couldn't happen to better people,  the scammers got scammed 555

Bit rough. They’re not my favourites and balk at any one group piling in here en masse, but they could just be decent hardworking people. There are some good Russians. Bizarre how they’d fall for that though. They can rent my gaffe for 720 if they like. I only require 360k upfront. 🙂

[steven100]

18 minutes ago, stevenl said:

I very much doubt the scammers are Thai.

aha,  hazard a guess what nationality they might be ? 

[mancub]

Doubt that the Tourist Police can help much.......

[ChipButty]

13 minutes ago, mancub said:

Doubt that the Tourist Police can help much.......

You would be surprised what they are capable off 

[PJ71]

30 minutes ago, steven100 said:

aha,  hazard a guess what nationality they might be ? 

I'd suspect fellow ruskies.

[ChipButty]

Judging by some of the rents being asked for, that could be 1 month rent and 2 months deposit, Regardless of the nationality thats a dirty trick, I hope they get caught, 

[steven100]

5 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

I'd suspect fellow ruskies.

 

yes,   because 720k deposit is a big amount and usually thai scammers don't go that high ..

[jippytum]

Scams are on the increase and have a terrible effect on the victims. However in this case it could not have happened to a race less deserving of sympathy

[Peterphuket]

Perhaps the landlords were Ukrainians.

[Hakuna Matata]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

aha,  hazard a guess what nationality they might be ? 

 

Probably Chinese!

[Gottfrid]

720k in pre-payment???? I am pretty sure somebody deserves to be called stupid here.

[WilliamSmits]

At least they didn't scam some poor fellow

[Liverpool Lou]

16 hours ago, Mavideol said:

couldn't happen to better people,  the scammers got scammed 555

What scam had this couple committed?

[Liverpool Lou]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

16 hours ago, Mavideol said:

couldn't happen to better people,  the scammers got scammed 555

Rather a sad comment... 

Yes, hear, hear!  An incredibly stupid and ignorant comment in the circumstances, also.

Edited February 9 by Liverpool Lou

[Liverpool Lou]

5 minutes ago, WilliamSmits said:

At least they didn't scam some poor fellow

That makes their B720,000 loss ok, then, does it?

[john donson]

until it happens to you, or your dumb wife that lost that at gambling...

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

The draft dodgers couldn't dodge the Thai scammer. 

Where did it report that they were draft dodgers and how do you know that the scammer was Thai?

[Enoon]

3 hours ago, jippytum said:

Scams are on the increase and have a terrible effect on the victims. However in this case it could not have happened to a race less deserving of sympathy

 

Russians are not a race.

 

They are an ethnic group that established a nation state named Russia.

 

Other ethnic groups exist in the state and hold Russian nationality.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_groups_in_Russia

 

 

Edited February 9 by Enoon

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, jippytum said:

Scams are on the increase and have a terrible effect on the victims. However in this case it could not have happened to a race less deserving of sympathy

This did not happen to "a race".   The individuals that were the victims of this fraud did what, exactly, to deserve no sympathy? 

[Liverpool Lou]

4 hours ago, mancub said:

Doubt that the Tourist Police can help much.......

Why shouldn't they be able to help effectively in the investigation?

[Snackbar]

Skinks