Thai cyber police uncover online high-end hotel booking scam

[snoop1130]

 

Officers from the Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) have exposed a substantial online fraud involving false advertising and bookings for luxury accommodation. The operation led to numerous victims being scammed out of a total sum exceeding 3 million baht.

 

Yesterday, on August 25, the CCIB officers questioned Busnavee, 46, the owner of the company involved. It had been promoting discounted luxury accommodation but not delivering on its promises. Over 20 victims from across Thailand had made complaints to the police online about their experiences.

 

The victims had booked rooms via a Facebook page and a group on Line, both operated by BluNavy Hua Hin. The company had taken payments for room auctions and either failed to supply the rooms booked or offered substandard alternatives. The victims' losses added up to 2,960,228 baht. A popular TV show brought further attention to the situation and prompted the CCIB to look into the matter.

 

BluNavy Hua Hin falsely advertised rooms in four and five-star hotels, with auction starting bids as low as 100 baht. Buyers also had to pay membership fees of between 100 and 400 baht. Once an auction ended, the administrators removed all related posts before contacting the highest bidders for payment.

 

Various additional sales tricks were used, including mystery boxes, milestone-based prizes, and large discount coupons. All of these offers turned out to be bogus, leaving buyers unable to claim the promised benefits.

 

Further tricks were used after payments had been made, with additional conditions imposed on buyers. They were sometimes asked to pay deposits or provide review photos for the promise of free repeat visits. Victims who transferred more money often encountered delays in refund of these. In some cases, victims encountered demands for payments for an advance deposit of three to six months. Yet they found that when they arrived for their stays, their bookings had been downgraded or postponed and their deposits weren't refunded as agreed.

 

In some instances, victims were given booking numbers from well-known hotel booking sites, but found no payment had been made when they arrived at the hotel. If they chose to stay, they had to pay themselves, with no refund. Sometimes they were offered bookings at 40 to 60% below the usual rate, but these turned out to be invalid.

 

Investigations by the CCIB revealed that Busnavee, acting as the legal representative of BluNavy Hua Hin, had registered the company as an accommodation agent. The company had claimed to operate for several years, partially supporting itself through a supposed charity in Phuket that helped cover room costs.

 

Busnavee recently appeared at the CCIB office to face charges of collaboration in fraud against the public. Essentially, she had used false computer data likely to harm others. Initially, she denied all accusations which led the police to retain her for further legal action.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-08-26

 

 

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[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Officers from the Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) have exposed a substantial online fraud involving false advertising and bookings for luxury accommodation. The operation led to numerous victims being scammed out of a total sum exceeding 3 million baht.

Confiscate everything he owns and re-pay the victims, then jail him for a long time.

[topt]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Confiscate everything he owns and re-pay the victims, then jail him for a long time.

 

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Busnavee recently appeared at the CCIB office to face charges of collaboration in fraud against the public. Essentially, she had used false computer data likely to harm others. Initially, she denied all accusations which led the police to retain her for further legal action.

My bolding......