Pakistani Gang Arrested for Shop Scam in Buriram

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

In an impressive crackdown, Buriram police have apprehended four Pakistani nationals who were reportedly engaging in deceptive practices in local convenience stores.

 

The gang's modus operandi involved using a 1,000-baht note to purchase items, confusing shopkeepers with foreign language chatter, and ultimately making off with both the cash and the goods.

 

On 26th November 1967, Police Colonel Yuthapong Rodnual, Head of the Investigation Division of the Buriram Provincial Police, and his team successfully detained the suspects. The Pakistanis—whose tactics centered around deceiving shop owners—had been operating in various provinces. Their preferred target: elderly shopkeepers.

 

The group's routine was simple yet effective. By presenting a 1,000-baht note for minor purchases, such as soft drinks, they would engage in conversation using foreign languages to bewilder the store owners. Upon receiving the change, they would fabricate excuses to cancel the purchase, using the ensuing confusion to pocket both the original banknote and the change.

 

The police operation came to fruition at the Bangkok Bank intersection on Soonthorn Thep Road, Buriram, where the suspects were caught in possession of cola drinks, a car, and Thai currency. Investigations revealed a string of similar incidents across multiple regions.

One shop owner had a near-miss with this gang earlier in the month. On 18th November, their attempt to swindle a barbecue restaurant was thwarted when the savvy proprietor recognised the deceit and issued a Facebook warning, alerting other businesses in Buriram.

 

The gang, described as mirroring the "Khak-White" scam pattern, was later seen loitering around the Night Bazaar in Buriram City on 26th November. Authorities sprang into action, strategically positioning officers to monitor the group. Despite their attempts to initiate scams within the marketplace, they eventually redirected their efforts to a nearby convenience store.

 

The turning point came when the gang executed their usual scam but left behind enough evidence for police to intervene. Buying soft drinks for a small sum, they confused the shopkeeper by mixing up the cash exchange until walking away with both the change and the original note. This led to their swift arrest and subsequent questioning at the Buriram Provincial Police headquarters.

 

The four men now face charges of "joint theft using a vehicle to facilitate the crime or to escape capture," with proceedings continuing at the Buriram City Police Station. This case serves as a cautionary tale for shop owners to remain vigilant against such deceptive tactics, reported Siam Rath

 

-- 2024-11-27

 

 

.