Thai condo scam costs 200 victims 3 billion baht

[webfact]

Photo courtesy of Wassayos Ngamkham via Bangkok Post

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Seventy people approached Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) with allegations of being scammed into purchasing condominium units, leading to a collective financial loss of 3 billion baht. This group is part of a larger contingent of about 200 people who claim to have fallen victim to a fraudulent debt relief scheme.

 

Pavena Hongsakula, leading the charge, filed the complaint on behalf of the victims. She is known for her work with the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, which the victims contacted for assistance over the weekend. They allege deception by a company that promised to clear their credit card debts in exchange for signing contracts to buy condos.

 

One of the victims, identified only as Meen, recounted her experience with the company based in Khlong 2, Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province. She was approached with an offer to settle her 900,000 baht credit card debt. Meen was puzzled by how the company knew about her financial situation but accepted the offer when they paid off her debt.

 

Meen reported to the Khu Khot Police Station, explaining that the debt was settled by the company, which then required her to join a condominium purchasing scheme. Initially, she believed she had committed to buying one unit. However, she later discovered that the company had used her documents to secure loans from multiple banks, leaving her with 16 million baht in liabilities for four units.

The company arranged that Meen would pay for one unit while it would cover the costs of the remaining three. The contract also included a clause for the company to repurchase all units within two years. This agreement was not honoured, and Meen is now responsible for the substantial debt and facing legal action from the banks.

 

Other victims have reported similar predicaments, with some facing debts as high as 40 million baht from being coerced into purchasing several units.

 

The affected individuals have formed a LINE group with over 200 members to share their experiences and support each other. Pavena noted the severe distress among the victims, especially after the company’s abrupt closure.

 

“Everyone was very distressed because the company had already closed.”

 

Pavena is appealing to the DSI to assist in negotiating with banks for debt restructuring on behalf of the victims. She also called for a thorough investigation into the company and other businesses employing similar fraudulent tactics, often advertised on social media, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-12-12

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

deception by a company that promised to clear their credit card debts in exchange for signing contracts to buy condos.

 

Just this offer should be enough to know that this must be a scam.

Like: You don't have the money to pay your credit card, sign here to buy a condo. What could possibly go wrong? 

[gargamon]

Rent, don't buy.

[Pesche]

Samuel L. Jackson would say: "That's a M....F.... clue, man!

[JoePai]

Unfortunately so many Thais are financially illiterate

[Deserted]

very sad