Nigerian Arrested for Exploiting 'Influence' for Free Food and Room on Koh Phangan

[webfact]

 

A Nigerian man was arrested on Koh Phangan after using his claimed influence to demand free food and accommodation, sparking complaints among the island’s residents. The suspect, 35-year-old Benjamin Chemelia Ene, had overstayed his Thai visa by 276 days.

 

The arrest was made by a team led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Vinij Bunchit from the Tourist Police Division 5, along with Koh Phangan Sub-district Chief Naphadol Khaomali. The team acted on multiple complaints from local businesses and residents who reported Ene’s suspicious behaviour and his tendency to claim false influence back in Nigeria.

 

Authorities swooped in on Ene after he displayed suspicious behaviour upon sighting a Tourist Police patrol car. Attempting to flee, he darted into a nearby hotel but was swiftly apprehended. He was taken to Koh Phangan Police Station, where he disclosed his overstay and confessed to the fraudulent claims he used to avoid payment for accommodations and food.

 

Picture courtesy: Naewna

 

Residents of Koh Phangan expressed relief following Ene’s arrest, as his behaviour had caused significant concern in the local community. Many local businesses were wary of his intimidating tactics, particularly his assertions of possessing influential connections in Nigeria to gain free services.

 

The incident underscores ongoing concerns about visa overstayers and their impact on tourist destinations in Thailand. Local authorities have stepped up efforts to monitor and manage such occurrences, ensuring both residents' and tourists’ safety and comfort.

 

Tourist police say they will continue vigilant monitoring and encourage the public to report any suspicious activities. This strategy is part of broader efforts to maintain the integrity and welcoming atmosphere of popular tourist destinations like Koh Phangan.

 

For now, Ene remains in custody and will face legal proceedings both for his visa overstay and the fraudulence used in exploiting locals.

 

Picture courtesy: Naewna

 

-- 2024-06-01

 

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[smedly]

poor "little" fella 

[PJ71]

Nigerians are the worst.

[JayClay]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Many local businesses were wary of his intimidating tactics, particularly his assertions of possessing influential connections in Nigeria to gain free services.

 

I'm confused.

 

Why should any Thai businesses owner be concerned about anybody's connections in Nigeria? What were these business owners frightened of?

[NickyLouie]

he din' do nuttin

[LudwigK]

Well known for not accept the law

8-[[[

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Authorities swooped in on Ene after he displayed suspicious behaviour upon sighting a Tourist Police patrol car. Attempting to flee, he darted into a nearby hotel but was swiftly apprehended

Easy to spot during the day....

[shackleton]

Plenty more like him currently in Thailand 🇹🇭 😉 

[Grumpy one]

Who would have thought that a Nigerian would be up to no good 

[PETERTHEEATER]

Give him a break, he's a double amputee.....

[Enoon]

5 hours ago, JayClay said:

 

I'm confused.

 

Why should any Thai businesses owner be concerned about anybody's connections in Nigeria? What were these business owners frightened of?

 

Him have very strong witch-doctor friends in Nigeria.

 

Strong so they reach across the oceans and tear your heart out if you not give him Kaow kaow moo and a Sprite.

 

 

[Keeps]

5 hours ago, PJ71 said:

Nigerians are the worst.

Thought that was we Brits according to about half of the posters on this site........

[PJ71]

20 minutes ago, Keeps said:

Thought that was we Brits according to about half of the posters on this site........

Nigerians are on a completely different level - champions league scammers.

[OneMoreFarang]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Many local businesses were wary of his intimidating tactics, particularly his assertions of possessing influential connections in Nigeria to gain free services.

Really?

Like: Don't you know who my father is back in Nigeria. Now you have to be scared.

Really?

[OneMoreFarang]

44 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

Him have very strong witch-doctor friends in Nigeria.

 

Strong so they reach across the oceans and tear your heart out if you not give him Kaow kaow moo and a Sprite.

 

 

Now that might work with Thais.

 

 

 

[NativeBob]

something doesn't add up in this story

[Keeps]

5 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Now that might work with Thais.

 

 

 

I think the Nigerian would have been more scared of this than the Thais. It looks like the Ku Klux Klan...

[kidneyw]

Benjamin formally known as a Prince in Nigeria.

[Lancelot01]

3 hours ago, kidneyw said:

Benjamin formally known as a Prince in Nigeria.

Only 43% Nigerian?

[john donson]

90 day working well, looooooooooooool

 

is there no AI to follow up who did not leave after x amount of days and flag it ?

 

 

[radiochaser]

On 6/1/2024 at 12:47 AM, PJ71 said:

Nigerians are the worst.

Not all of them.  I have a neighbors here in the U.S. of A. who are  from Nigeria.  His kids go to the same Catholic elementary school that my grand kids go to.  I pick up my grand kids from school (Mom does not want them to ride in a school bus) and the school bus drops his kids off at the corner where my house is.  
Their dad and I like to sit on a bench in the shade of one of my trees (not during winter though) and we talk about many different subjects while his kids and my grandkids run around the yard screaming, laughing, and having loads of fun.  

 

[radiochaser]

On 6/1/2024 at 12:47 AM, PJ71 said:

Nigerians are the worst.

 

19 hours ago, Keeps said:

Thought that was we Brits according to about half of the posters on this site........

Nope.   I have met some pretty nice British folk.   So, like Nigerians, not all of them are the worst.  

[PJ71]

3 hours ago, radiochaser said:

 

Nope.   I have met some pretty nice British folk.   So, like Nigerians, not all of them are the worst.  

Have you met them in west africa tho?

[thecyclist]

On 6/1/2024 at 11:50 AM, JayClay said:

 

I'm confused.

 

Why should any Thai businesses owner be concerned about anybody's connections in Nigeria? What were these business owners frightened of?

VOODOO 

[Irish star]

On 6/1/2024 at 11:47 AM, PJ71 said:

Nigerians are the worst.

I’m starting to think Koreans are The Worst , easy to spot sunglasses at the Malls inside , obnoxiously Loud and Arrogant 

[PJ71]

1 hour ago, Irish star said:

I’m starting to think Koreans are The Worst , easy to spot sunglasses at the Malls inside , obnoxiously Loud and Arrogant 

they don't smell tho.

[watchcat]

On 6/1/2024 at 3:11 AM, webfact said:

A Nigerian man was arrested on Koh Phangan after using his claimed influence to demand free food and accommodation, sparking complaints among the island’s residents. The suspect, 35-year-old Benjamin Chemelia Ene, had overstayed his Thai visa by 276 days.

 

Send him back to Africa and don't let him return.

[NativeBob]

On 6/3/2024 at 7:21 AM, Irish star said:

I’m starting to think Koreans are The Worst , easy to spot sunglasses at the Malls inside , obnoxiously Loud and Arrogant 

I used to live in the condo near their Embassy and had more than enough of their attitude.

[Rhys]

....odd that Thais would let this happen...