Thai Woman Arrested Over B6bn Romance Scam Connection

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: MGR online

 

In a significant development in what has been dubbed Thailand's largest romance scam, a Thai woman has been apprehended at Hat Yai International Airport.

 

Authorities reported that 52-year-old Orathai, whose surname remains confidential, was arrested upon arrival from Malaysia, following an extensive investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

 

This scam, which came to light in 2024, involved a counterfeit online persona of a supposed US military doctor based in Afghanistan.

 

The sophisticated ruse targeted a high-ranking financial professional specifically, the Chief Financial Officer of a multinational corporation's Thai division. The deceit led to illicit transfers totalling an eye-watering 6.3 billion baht (approximately £139 million) from the company.

 

Orathai now stands accused of participating in a series of serious offences. These include membership in a clandestine society, engagement in criminal association, involvement in a transnational criminal organisation, and complicity in fraud and identity theft, not to mention money laundering activities.

 

The arrest forms part of a broader crackdown, with warrants issued for almost 100 suspects, both Thai and Nigerian nationals. The investigation ambitiously spans across several countries as authorities scramble to apprehend those involved.

Upon her arrest, Orathai admitted to her identity after being presented with the arrest warrant. She revealed that her Nigerian companion had persuaded her to open Thai bank accounts for his alleged business interests, citing his inability as a foreign national to do so himself.

 

These accounts were subsequently managed by him, facilitating numerous deceitful transactions.

 

Financial forensic analysis unveiled connections between Orathai's accounts and those implicated in fraudulent activities, prompting her arrest.

 

Her relationship with the Nigerian partner, whom she met while working in a Malaysian massage parlour in 2017, appears central to the unfolding drama.

 

For nearly two years, she lived with him in Malaysia, supported financially without needing to work—a lifestyle that lulled her into reportedly unwitting complicity.

 

"He convinced me to open bank accounts to help him start a business in Thailand," Orathai divulged, claiming her innocence in the scam's initial phases. "He offered me 6,500 baht per account without any knowledge of their fraudulent use."

 

The arrest was strategically executed following a tip-off about her planned visit to Thailand to see her child. The ongoing investigation continues to peel back the layers on what has become a landmark case of international cyber fraud, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

-- 2025-02-03

 

 

[steven100]

a Thai cheat & scammer,  well who would ever think that ...  

Well done CIB ... 

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, steven100 said:

a Thai cheat & scammer,  well who would ever think that ...  

Well done CIB ... 

More like a person who have been duped by Nigeria Clan again.

[steven100]

5 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

More like a person who have been duped by Nigeria Clan again.

take those rose colored glasses off,   you'll see alot better.   lol

[klauskunkel]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The sophisticated ruse targeted a high-ranking financial professional specifically, the Chief Financial Officer of a multinational corporation's Thai division. The deceit led to illicit transfers totalling an eye-watering 6.3 billion baht (approximately £139 million) from the company.

She should get a commendation from that company, having exposed their CFO as a major liability and unqualified for his position

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, steven100 said:

take those rose colored glasses off,   you'll see alot better.   lol

An alternative, is that you stop being so negative to everything in Thailand. But, that will not happen. You are just here to moan or point out negativity.

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Upon her arrest, Orathai admitted to her identity after being presented with the arrest warrant. She revealed that her Nigerian companion had persuaded her to open Thai bank accounts for his alleged business interests, citing his inability as a foreign national to do so himself.

1st red flag.....

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

More like a person who have been duped by Nigeria Clan again.

Duped my arse, she lived the luxury life not wanting to know where the money was coming from...

[Liverpool Lou]

5 hours ago, steven100 said:

a Thai cheat & scammer,  well who would ever think that ...  

Well done CIB ... 

Wasn't it reported that the Nigerian was the "cheating scammer"?

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

More like a person who have been duped by Nigeria Clan again.

take those rose colored glasses off,   you'll see alot better.   lol

Take the Thai-bashing attitude off your shoulders and you'll feel a lot better.

[J Branche]

The old I need you to send me 6.3 billion baht and my funds in Thailand will be released, I will send you 100 billion baht for your troubles scam.

 

[PomPolo]

The sophisticated ruse targeted a high-ranking financial professional specifically, the Chief Financial Officer of a multinational corporation's Thai division.

 

Who would make an idiot that would fall for this a CFO?  Can't fix stupid.

[steven100]

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

An alternative, is that you stop being so negative to everything in Thailand. But, that will not happen. You are just here to moan or point out negativity.

she wasn't duped as you wrongly inferred,  she knew exactly what was going on and she was a scammer & thief.

Stop with the thai apologetics.  

[Gottfrid]

4 hours ago, steven100 said:

she wasn't duped as you wrongly inferred,  she knew exactly what was going on and she was a scammer & thief.

Stop with the thai apologetics.  

Stop look down on the Thai population. Hope you are not living in Thailand, as that must make you a pest to your surroundings.

[Gottfrid]

7 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Take the Thai-bashing attitude off your shoulders and you'll feel a lot better.

He just can´t help himself. Think about living your life in a country where you hate the people, can´t stand the culture and are constantly moaning over everything. He must have a terrible life.

[Gottfrid]

7 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Duped my arse, she lived the luxury life not wanting to know where the money was coming from...

Okay, if do small work and get well paid. Do you think a regular Thai person asks where the money comes from with the lack of proper education and understanding they have here?

[KhunHeineken]

More lucrative than working over an expat retiree who's on a pension.