Driver License Scam!

[thailand49]

Look lets wake up and smell the coffee. 

The kid knew exactly what he was doing with one day off not a priority better time spent sleeping and drinking with friends instead of taking care of business.

Like everyone like getting Visa, he thought the transaction would be basically grease a few palms reason the overcharge for medical. Believe it or not there are many who could get a cert for someone else without being present!  This was the same thought he had in getting the actual license without leaving his home as advertised.

To be clear, they requested his ID with address. A photo. I saw the license on the return Line message  it had the same picture on the license look real but photo shop! 

 

I could have gotten money back for the kid but why some lesdons need to be learned.

 

When they advertise they will do it all for you, medical, test, even knowing how things work here it is red flag everywhere.

 

Edited August 30 by thailand49

[Rimmer]

A commercial post has been removed

[rwill]

I want one of those old lifetime drivers license.  They don't have a photo on them either.

[scorecard]

16 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

these agents do nothing more than hold your hand. you pay for something you can do alone or with thai friend.

 

believe it or not... many offices now dont do any funny business. i remember a big crack down on all the DLT's around 2004. since then you cant just buy a licence without doing anything.

e

So I guess I'm lucky, my lifetime car and mcy licenses were issued at Rayong about 30 years ago (but using the old format of a paper card with a photo glued  on and then laminated at  small desk outside of the office).

 

Then about 8 years ago there was a drive to replace all the paper licences with plastic cards.

 

I went with a thai friend to the DLT office in Bkk. Quickly directd to a specific officer. He spoke perfect English and explained step 1 would be to check my old licenses were legit. took 10 seconds at his screen then he said "all OK, it will take about 10 to 15 minutes to get the plastic cards produced, why don't you have a coffee and come back and he gave me his business card. 

 

Fifteen minutes later I received 2 plastic cards, I checked the details (in English) were correct. All done. Never been back. 

[tandor]

18 hours ago, digbeth said:

easiest money ever, what's the victim gonna do, go the police for trying to get what's essentially illegal? 

 

16 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

these agents do nothing more than hold your hand. you pay for something you can do alone or with thai friend.

 

believe it or not... many offices now dont do any funny business. i remember a big crack down on all the DLT's around 2004. since then you cant just buy a licence without doing anything.

you think it will catch on at Thai Immigration

[NanLaew]

20 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Them add's are all over the FB groups here in Phuket, Like you I always though it to be a scam, 

 

And precisely how else are Russians expected to pay for these trendy, high-end Phuket beach villas?

[Chaspul]

Each time I saw subject adds on FB I reported as illegal.

FB reply in each case was "after investigation the adverts do not contravine forum rules".

FB should have sought legal advice.

OR maybe someone should report to the overworked police?

  Chas

[BangkokReady]

5 minutes ago, Chaspul said:

Each time I saw subject adds on FB I reported as illegal.

FB reply in each case was "after investigation the adverts do not contravine forum rules".

 

Facebook hardly ever remove anything.  I've reported videos that literally show people being shot and killed, they don't care.

[brianthainess]

Stupid is as stupid does, the Authorities have issued warnings about this, paying money for anything in advance on line/Facebook is Mucking Fental.

Buy the way a reputable driving school is under 6k. Even my wife passed. 

Edited August 31 by brianthainess

[brianthainess]

21 hours ago, thailand49 said:

The do everything for you which from the Ad, is basically illegal! For a car license it advertised 2500 baht.

And so is selling guns but they still do on FB/ Line

Edited August 31 by brianthainess

[brianthainess]

21 hours ago, digbeth said:

easiest money ever, what's the victim gonna do, go the police for trying to get what's essentially illegal? 

You'd be surprised didn't someone go to the cops not long ago, 'coz he paid for a gun but never got it......... 

[brianthainess]

20 hours ago, digbeth said:

but also, if you drive up to the big DLT in Bangkok, there are plenty of 'agents' trying to assist you, and often you'll see the odd farang being escorted through the process by what appears to be agents

 

if you go to driving school you can already complete the test, have a certificate to take to DLT to have your photo taken, all for probably lot less than what's being scammed here

The driving school that my missus used, took a group for their medicals 105, baht at a BKK Hospital no less, and when they had passed also took them to the DLT to get their licenses. (Chanthaburi)

[brianthainess]

20 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

But isn't that just a different 'scam'/agent?

You have not been tested and certified by an authorised person at the Land Transport Office?

NO IME the driving schools have licensed testers, duel control cars, their own test track, (with a roundabout) and even take them out on the road.

[frank83628]

22 hours ago, thailand49 said:

Recently, my son friend 25 years old I taught him and my son how to drive a number of years ago. He has a motorbike license but no car he tried just before Covid, had a appointment then it hit everything got shut down. The last few years he is working the one day he has off is on the weekend so he hasn't been able to find the time to go through the process.

 

Last, week he comes to visit my son and he tells the story about going through a company he found Facebook, messenger, interested told to go to this Line I.D.,  basically after doing some research after he told me the results it basically advertises they can get you a license without you ever leaving your room. The do everything for you which from the Ad, is basically illegal! For a car license it advertised 2500 baht.

 

He makes contact on LINE, they provide the instructions as to what to forward, The next day they Line him forward to him a photo of a Thai 5 year license it looks to be the real McCoy?  tells him where to forward the 2500+500 for medical certificate which he does, a hour later he is contacted again LINE to forward another 5600 baht, that it is needed to create a QR code?  for the transaction that this money will be return when the process is done and they deliver the license to him, hesitant he does comply, after another LINE message we need another 8,000 baht for something else in which in the end you will be refunded 14,600.

 

Now hesitant red flag even for a Thai, plus he doesn't have the addition 8000 baht, questions the process and tell them he doesn't have the money tells them forget it at same time ask the return of money already paid. The refuse end of communication.

 

After hearing, I did a bit of research on FB, and Messenger see a number of these types of ads in which there is a picture of a women she is using the DLT, as her source Logo everything even a guy in a uniform with friends posing farang and Thais as satisfied customers. The scam advertising are the one's that refer you to their LINE I.D, this lady has a number of companies referring interested people to LINE I.D. 

 

SCAM, SCAM, SCAM AVOID!

 

they are plastered all over Facebook

[Chris Daley]

What is ''driving''?  You mean FSD and RoboTaxi?  I am sorry don't live in the 2000's.

Edited August 31 by Chris Daley

[The Fugitive]

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

Stupid is as stupid does, the Authorities have issued warnings about this, paying money for anything in advance on line/Facebook is Mucking Fental.

Buy the way a reputable driving school is under 6k. Even my wife passed.

The other week my Thai Mrs bought some items for her Buddhist goods shop from a Facebook advertisement. They never arrived. The scammer had copied photos from a legitimate retailers website and changed the bank details. She reported the scammer's bank account number to her bank. Fortunately, she only lost a little over 7,000 baht.

[john donson]

they prey on the fact you know it is illegal, so you cannot go to the cops...  facebook does nothing, police does nothing (or surprise, they might be in it...if you go complain)

[ChrisKC]

Doesn't take a detective to know it is a scam.

 

Are there people who would fall for it?

[The Fugitive]

16 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

Doesn't take a detective to know it is a scam.

 

Are there people who would fall for it?

Yes, I have read comments on Facebook that money has been sent, then demands for more and more money for additional 'fees' are received. The photos are of a genuine Thai driving school with smiling satisfied customers holding up their new licences. The bogus Facebook page owners are from Thailand, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

e

So I guess I'm lucky, my lifetime car and mcy licenses were issued at Rayong about 30 years ago (but using the old format of a paper card with a photo glued  on and then laminated at  small desk outside of the office).

 

Then about 8 years ago there was a drive to replace all the paper licences with plastic cards.

 

I went with a thai friend to the DLT office in Bkk. Quickly directd to a specific officer. He spoke perfect English and explained step 1 would be to check my old licenses were legit. took 10 seconds at his screen then he said "all OK, it will take about 10 to 15 minutes to get the plastic cards produced, why don't you have a coffee and come back and he gave me his business card. 

 

Fifteen minutes later I received 2 plastic cards, I checked the details (in English) were correct. All done. Never been back. 

Further, on my 2 licenses there's no expiry date. Replaced with a word in Thai script 'cheewit' which translates to lifetime. 

[The Fugitive]

12 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Further, on my 2 licenses there's no expiry date. Replaced with a word in Thai script 'cheewit' which translates to lifetime.

Interesting thanks. Presumably this is because your replacement plastic card licences are based on the reissue of your old style paper with glued photo laminated licence? Or, does your present age have something to do with it? (thinking pink ID cards for those aged 60 or over).

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, The Fugitive said:

Interesting thanks. Presumably this is because your replacement plastic card licences are based on the reissue of your old style paper with glued photo laminated licence? Or, does your present age have something to do with it? (thinking pink ID cards for those aged 60 or over).

 

I offered my pink card and passport, passport not opened, pink card not checked in any way, both instantly rejected by the LTO officer and handed back to me, and he quickly said 'you're here to replace the old paper card, nothing more than that, your licenses are  genuine so we automatically reissue them on plastic'.

 

After receiving the new plastic cards I did ask 'Is there an age limit for holding a driving license in Thailand?'

 

His pleasant response 'Did you drive here today?' Answer YES, then 'Have you had any accidents in the last 2 years?'  I replied NO.

 

LTO guy then said 'then keep driving', and he started talking to the next customer.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Note: Pink cards are not issued at 60 years old, age is not a factor. I am a Thai Permanent Resident (27 years already). I got the pink card as soon as it was available, based on holding PR. The only criteria was to show my Permanent Resident PR* book, and show that my name was in a standard dark blue covered Tabien Baan book. *The so called PR book has the official tItle 'CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCE'. 

Edited August 31 by scorecard

[scorecard]

10 hours ago, rwill said:

I want one of those old lifetime drivers license.  They don't have a photo on them either.

I got 2 lifetime driving licenses (car and mocy) at Rayong 30+ years ago. They were on thick paper with photos glued on (gluestik) and then laminated at a small shop in the carpark. 

 

Lifetime issue was stopped years back. 

 

Edited August 31 by scorecard

[SAFETY FIRST]

31 minutes ago, scorecard said:

I got 2 lifetime driving licenses (car and mocy) at Rayong 30+ years ago. They were on thick paper with photos glued on (gluestik) and then laminated at a small shop in the carpark. 

 

Lifetime issue was stopped years back. 

 

Yes, laminated with photos, these are what I received Chonburi 2001 and 2006 but sadly 5 year expiry,not lifetime. 

 

 

Edited August 31 by SAFETY FIRST

[Irish star]

On 8/30/2024 at 11:32 AM, cjinchiangrai said:

Every time I see those on FB, I call them out. How do you get a license without getting a photo taken? It just does not make sense from the outset. No test? No papers? Not happening.

Up in Issan 500 baht got you everything 

[Caldera]

On 8/30/2024 at 11:03 AM, thailand49 said:

basically after doing some research after he told me the results it basically advertises they can get you a license without you ever leaving your room.

 

If you believe that this could be legit, you'll believe anything. 

[thailand49]

2 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

If you believe that this could be legit, you'll believe anything. 

And if you had any ability to read, comprehend and follow the conversation you would have noticed this isnt about me.  SMF

[Caldera]

15 hours ago, thailand49 said:

And if you had any ability to read, comprehend and follow the conversation you would have noticed this isnt about me.  SMF

 

No idea what you are trying to accomplish here tbh. Warn people not to fall for this kind of dumb scam? Vent about the dumb kid who did fall for it? Anything else?

[LennyW]

On 8/31/2024 at 8:40 AM, Chaspul said:

Each time I saw subject adds on FB I reported as illegal.

FB reply in each case was "after investigation the adverts do not contravine forum rules".

FB should have sought legal advice.

OR maybe someone should report to the overworked police?

  Chas

When they first appeared a couple of years ago FB would not take them down, they do now though, just got another one taken down in record time this morning.

[steven100]

On 8/30/2024 at 2:26 PM, Myran said:

"they can get you a license without you ever leaving your room."

 

How do you suggest getting a legitimate driver's license without leaving your room? I'm especially interested in how the actual driving test would be carried out.

you do it by video conference and a toy steering wheel