Warning Issued Over Fake Engineers Exploiting Earthquake Damage

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of CIB.

 

Following recent earthquake activity that caused widespread damage to homes and buildings across Thailand, authorities have issued a warning to the public about fraudsters posing as structural engineers offering inspection services.

 

According to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), these scammers are taking advantage of the situation by impersonating qualified professionals, offering to inspect damaged buildings before disappearing with upfront payments.

 

The CIB has urged homeowners and property managers to exercise extreme caution and to verify the credentials of anyone offering structural inspection services. They have outlined several criteria that legitimate building inspectors must meet:

 

• They must hold Thai nationality.

 

• They must possess a valid professional licence as an engineer or architect. This certification must comply with laws regulating the engineering and architectural professions in Thailand.

 

• They must have completed a certified training course in building inspection techniques and the use of appropriate structural assessment equipment, as recognised by the Building Control Committee.

 

• They must be officially registered with the Building Control Committee and hold an inspection registration certificate known as Form RT.1.

 

• They must not have been removed from the professional registry within the two years prior to applying for registration as a building inspector.

 

The CIB stressed the importance of verifying these qualifications before agreeing to hire anyone for post-earthquake inspection services. Residents are encouraged to request official documentation and consult the relevant authorities if they are unsure about an individual’s legitimacy.

 

“This is a time when many are vulnerable and seeking help to assess the safety of their homes,” a CIB spokesperson said. “Unfortunately, there are those who will exploit this. Please remain vigilant, verify all credentials thoroughly, and do not hand over any payments unless you are completely sure of the individual’s qualifications.”

 

-- 2025-04-09

 

[ozz1]

Well that's going to narrow it down to a few but with the corruption going on i don't know