Desperate Mother Steals Gold to Repay Predatory Loan App

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture captured from CCTV.

 

A young mother in financial distress has confessed to stealing gold from a shop in Ayutthaya, claiming she acted out of desperation due to harassment and threats from a predatory loan app.

 

The incident occurred at a gold shop in Hua Ro Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District. The suspect, a 27-year-old woman named Ms. Suwichada from Phetchabun Province, entered the shop on 12 January, pretending to be a customer. She asked the staff to display a tray of gold jewellery. While the staff were distracted, she discreetly hid a gold bracelet worth 22,600 baht in her hand and then excused herself, claiming she needed to withdraw cash. She subsequently fled the scene.

 

Later that evening, the shop staff noticed the missing bracelet during an inventory check. Upon reviewing CCTV footage, they identified the woman as the culprit and reported the theft to the police.

 

Police investigators, led by Pol. Lt. Col. Monchai Lueangprasert of Ayutthaya Police Station, reviewed the CCTV footage and identified the suspect. A warrant was issued for her arrest on charges of theft using a vehicle. On 15 January, officers apprehended Ms. Suwichada in Bangkok’s Bang Sue District while she was riding her motorbike.

 

During interrogation, Ms. Suwichada confessed, detailing her struggles as a new mother of a four-month-old baby. She explained that her income as a motorcycle taxi driver, facilitated by a ride-hailing app, was insufficient to cover her living expenses. In her desperation, she borrowed 7,000 baht through an online loan app, unaware that it required weekly repayments. The app charged her 4,000 baht in interest, leaving her unable to keep up with the payments.

 

Ms. Suwichada revealed that she had been harassed and threatened by the loan providers, who warned they would visit her home if she failed to repay the loan. The fear of harm to herself and her baby pushed her to commit the crime.

 

On the day of the theft, she had transported a customer from Bangkok to Rangsit and then another to Ayutthaya. While on the road, she received a threatening call from the loan app’s agents, which added to her mounting pressure and led to her rash decision to steal.

 

After stealing the bracelet, Ms. Suwichada sold it at a shopping mall in Bangkok for just over 10,000 baht. She immediately transferred most of the money to the loan app and used the remaining amount to buy milk for her baby. She then returned to her routine until her arrest.

 

Ms. Suwichada now faces legal action for her crime, but her story highlights the predatory practices of loan apps that exploit individuals in vulnerable situations. Authorities are expected to investigate the app in question, alongside prosecuting the suspect.

 

-- 2025-01-17

 

 

[Thingamabob]

Too many Thais borrow money without giving any thought as to how they are going to pay it back.

[Briggsy]

When the Chinese immigrated to Thailand from the famine-stricken villages of Kwangtung and Fujian, I bet they could not believe their luck. No more eating bark, women take your pick, land a plenty and a local populace ripe for the taking.