Indian Tourist Scammed in Pattaya by Pakistani Herbal Remedy Sellers

[webfact]

 

At 11:36 p.m. on 6 November, Mr. Mayur, a 34-year-old Indian national, reported to Pattaya Police Station, filing a complaint with Police Lieutenant Colonel Akkaraphong Sanputawong after realising he’d fallen victim to a scam by two Pakistani nationals.

 

The pair had approached him on Pattaya Second Road, offering to sell a miraculous herbal remedy mixed with honey, which they claimed could cure ailments within two weeks. After being persuaded by their excessive claims, Mr. Mayur ended up losing 20,000 baht.

 

The scam reportedly began when Mr. Mayur was approached by the men, who commented on the birthmarks on his hands, claiming to know of a remedy that would guarantee a complete cure.

 

Taken in by their sales pitch, he was led to the Durni Natural Herbal shop, where the herbal concoction was priced at 900 baht per gram, with honey, a supposed key ingredient, costing 1,000 baht per bottle.

 

Despite initial hesitation, Mr. Mayur was pressured to make the purchase after being told the products could not be refunded.

 

Later, while dining, another foreigner pointed out that he had been scammed, explaining that such incidents are common in Pattaya, where scammers - often involving Pakistani men in collaboration with local shop owners - target tourists with overpriced, falsely advertised herbal remedies. Realising the deception, Mr. Mayur promptly filed a report.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Akkaraphong documented the complaint and coordinated with the local investigation team to probe the shop. There have been numerous similar reports in Pattaya, where other tourists have fallen prey to scams involving unauthorised and overpriced herbal products.

 

Some victims have filed complaints, while others have returned home, accepting their losses. Despite periodic crackdowns by Pattaya’s police and health authorities, the scams persist, tarnishing the city’s reputation.

 

The Pattaya Tourist Police, alongside Chonburi health officials, have conducted several raids targeting such operations, yet these fraudsters continue undeterred, exploiting tourists in search of cures and remedies.

 

Authorities have pledged to intensify efforts to curb these scams, aiming to safeguard Pattaya’s image and protect tourists from further exploitation, reported Daily News.

 

-- 2024-11-07

 

 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The pair had approached him on Pattaya Second Road, offering to sell a miraculous herbal remedy mixed with honey, which they claimed could cure ailments within two weeks. After being persuaded by their excessive claims, Mr. Mayur ended up losing 20,000 baht.

You're only scammed if you buy...

[jcmj]

And what do they think is going to happen now that they have decided to make the 90 visa permanent for certain countries. It’s going to be madness. The news will be full of stolen necklace scams, ladyboy attacks, motorcycle accidents and noise. Thank you Thailand for opening up your doors. So much for quality tourists. 

[jacko45k]

Very sorry for the guy... said while biting cheek to hold back a snigger!