Has anyone been hit up by one of these Indian scumbag street scammers in Sukhumvit?
 

These guys are young, they're not old guys selling fake watches, and they come up to you and start trying to talk to you about your hair. I immediately tell them to "Fu*k Off". So I don't get far enough with them to figure out what the scam is, but apparently this is it according to ChatGPT:

 

Yeah I know exactly the one you’re talking about. It’s a common street scam in places like Bangkok, especially around tourist-heavy areas like Sukhumvit or around Nana and Asok. Usually, a well-dressed Indian guy approaches you out of nowhere, friendly, smiling, and starts complimenting or commenting on your hair. Sometimes they’ll say something like “Brother you’ve got good hair but you could make it even better” or “I can see you’ve got a little thinning I’ve got something that can help.”

 

The whole thing is just a hook to get you to stop and engage with them. Once you’ve stopped, the scam usually goes one of two ways:

 

1 - Fake Herbal Products Scam — They’ll offer some kind of herbal hair oil, magic treatment, or ayurvedic product, claiming it cures baldness or promotes amazing hair growth. If you agree, they’ll try to sell you a small bottle for a crazy inflated price, sometimes hundreds of dollars. The product itself is usually worthless or just basic oil you could buy anywhere for a couple of bucks.

2 - Hidden Price Scam — Sometimes they’ll offer to give you a quick demonstration or a massage right there on the street or convince you to go to a nearby shop. At first they might say it’s free or cheap but by the time they’re done, they’ll suddenly reveal a massive hidden price and start demanding payment.

 

They usually rely on tourists being too polite or embarrassed to say no or just walk away.

 

It’s basically the same crowd involved in other scams like the “suit shop” scam or fake gem scams. Same playbook — friendly chat, build rapport, then lead you into an overpriced sale.

11 hours ago, FriscoKid said:

I immediately them to "Fu*k Off"

you did the right thing

Do not ever get into converstaions with these scumbags.Only one angle there and that is to con you out of you r  hard earned.

Then there are the ones....

 

You look like you have a lucky bla bla....

 

F off nerd.

I always ask how much you pay me ?Seems to work quite well 

3 hours ago, FriscoKid said:

Has anyone been hit up by one of these Indian scumbag street scammers in Sukhumvit?
 

These guys are young, they're not old guys selling fake watches, and they come up to you and start trying to talk to you about your hair. 

 

No, I'm bald.  

There's a reason I taught myself to say Far Cough Noddy in eleven languages, including Swahili. 

3 hours ago, blaze master said:

Then there are the ones....

 

You look like you have a lucky bla bla....

 

F off nerd.

    I allways tell them yes indeed I just won the lottery.Bye

I just say "no thank you" when they first try to engage.  Never even lose a step.

 

No need to be rude or profane (or provocative).

 

8 hours ago, blaze master said:

Then there are the ones....

 

You look like you have a lucky bla bla....

 

F off nerd.

 

My favorite.

 

If I was lucky I wouldn't have met you!!

 

Watches aren't a scam - just selling junk. Annoying af though. Oh, <deleted> off Chana Masala

3 hours ago, impulse said:

I just say "no thank you" when they first try to engage.  Never even lose a step.

 

No need to be rude or profane (or provocative).

 

 

Never get rid of them. They'll hound you like wolves.

 

They don't bother me in cowboy anymore, but cowboy so boring I stopped going there 🤷‍♂️

 

They have loansharking in cowboy. Probably Sukhumvit as well.

 

I even see them up by me. Gotta be loansharking

One need not engage. Just ignore and carry on.

6 hours ago, quake said:

 

No, I'm bald.  

Can try wearing a wig so you don't miss out on the con. 

26 minutes ago, Nicco said:

 

Never get rid of them. They'll hound you like wolves.

 

They don't bother me in cowboy anymore, but cowboy so boring I stopped going there 🤷‍♂️

 

They have loansharking in cowboy. Probably Sukhumvit as well.

 

I even see them up by me. Gotta be loansharking

 

Hasn't failed me yet.  But I also keep walking and don't break stride.  Mostly on Suk, between EmQuarter and Nana.

 

TBH, I haven't a clue what their game is.  We've never gotten that far into a conversation.

 

I've had this happen to me. 

 

What the hell is about ?

 

After a few pints and a bloated stomach they come up to you and start pointing at your stomach. Honestly anywhere else and i would deck them. 

 

What is the bloody scam ? 

Tips for "Acting Deaf" in Bangkok to Avoid Scams

1. Keep It Consistent: Don’t speak—at all. No muttering, laughing, or sudden English if someone surprises you. Once you "break character," the game’s up.

2. Use Simple Gestures Only: Stick to basic hand signals like shaking your head “no,” pointing, or a slight wave. Avoid miming too much or overacting—it looks suspicious.

3. Carry a Note or Card: Prepare a small card in Thai and English that says something like “I am deaf. Thank you for your understanding.” This avoids confusion and helps maintain the act in a more believable way.

4. Avoid Eye Contact with Aggressive Sellers: Looking too engaged invites further attempts. Glance away or appear distracted to reduce confrontation.

5. Keep Moving: Scammers often rely on getting you to stop and engage. If you keep walking and signal that you’re not interested (even without words), they usually move on.

6. Be Culturally Sensitive: Thailand is generally respectful toward people with disabilities. Don’t mock deafness—act respectfully, not cartoonishly. If someone genuinely tries to help you, be polite and signal appreciation.

7. Know When to Drop It: If police, officials, or someone helpful approaches you with serious intent, abandon the act. It's not worth escalating a situation unnecessarily.

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Hasn't failed me yet.  But I also keep walking and don't break stride.  Mostly on Suk, between EmQuarter and Nana.

 

TBH, I haven't a clue what their game is.  We've never gotten that far into a conversation.

 

Indians do seem to be particularly thick skinned.

18 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Hasn't failed me yet.  But I also keep walking and don't break stride.  Mostly on Suk, between EmQuarter and Nana.

 

TBH, I haven't a clue what their game is.  We've never gotten that far into a conversation.

 

 

Yeah, they're not going to stand entirely in your way

 

I just have visceral reaction from having spent so much time in India + having those junk watches shoved in my face for years + seeing the loan sharking+ knowing almost all on overstay

15 hours ago, greeneking said:

Indians do seem to be particularly thick skinned.

 

In India they have no problem wasting half a day to redirect you into a scam which they will profit next to nothing. Baldfaced lie to you as well even if caught or challenged.

 

The educated classes are perfectly ok. They get somewhat bad rap for being cheap. Most of them that end up in Thai fleshpots are brokies, young.

On 6/15/2025 at 3:43 PM, DonniePeverley said:

I've had this happen to me. 

 

What the hell is about ?

 

After a few pints and a bloated stomach they come up to you and start pointing at your stomach. Honestly anywhere else and i would deck them. 

 

What is the bloody scam ? 

Right now these stomach doctors are offering their weight loss services in Pattaya near Avenue shopping on Second road and Beach road. Very annoying. They are Pakistani not Indians. They react good to loud " go <deleted> yourself" , no idea why police is not arresting and deporting them.

6 minutes ago, Terek said:

no idea why police is not arresting and deporting them.

You certainly have an idea.

 

No tolerance for touts of any stripe.

In what world is pointing out you are bald or fat to a stranger going to win you any customers? Does that sort of cold marketting work?

 

Same thing tonight in Bangkok. Pakistani or Indian guy randomly pointed at a guy that he was bald. He was lucky he didn't get knocked out, the Russian was drunk as a skunk and wasn't aware it was just an idiot trying to direct you to a shop. 

15 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

In what world is pointing out you are bald or fat to a stranger going to win you any customers? Does that sort of cold marketting work?

 

Same thing tonight in Bangkok. Pakistani or Indian guy randomly pointed at a guy that he was bald. He was lucky he didn't get knocked out, the Russian was drunk as a skunk and wasn't aware it was just an idiot trying to direct you to a shop. 

It's not about selling products but more like extortion using hypnosis, from mentally weak, drunks, just tired confused tourists 

Oh there's no need for racism !!

 

I have had these young indian guys approach me and I have availed of their services with happiness 

Most are willing and those who are not , soon walk away from me

 

Just be grateful these young men are out there 

I thank them after for servicing me and even tip 

On 6/15/2025 at 3:48 PM, Quentin Zen said:

Tips for "Acting Deaf" in Bangkok to Avoid Scams

1. Keep It Consistent: Don’t speak—at all. No muttering, laughing, or sudden English if someone surprises you. Once you "break character," the game’s up.

2. Use Simple Gestures Only: Stick to basic hand signals like shaking your head “no,” pointing, or a slight wave. Avoid miming too much or overacting—it looks suspicious.

3. Carry a Note or Card: Prepare a small card in Thai and English that says something like “I am deaf. Thank you for your understanding.” This avoids confusion and helps maintain the act in a more believable way.

4. Avoid Eye Contact with Aggressive Sellers: Looking too engaged invites further attempts. Glance away or appear distracted to reduce confrontation.

5. Keep Moving: Scammers often rely on getting you to stop and engage. If you keep walking and signal that you’re not interested (even without words), they usually move on.

6. Be Culturally Sensitive: Thailand is generally respectful toward people with disabilities. Don’t mock deafness—act respectfully, not cartoonishly. If someone genuinely tries to help you, be polite and signal appreciation.

7. Know When to Drop It: If police, officials, or someone helpful approaches you with serious intent, abandon the act. It's not worth escalating a situation unnecessarily.

So what is it: 3 or 6?

I used to deal with these guys when I lived on Sukhumvit 22. They interpret a negative response as interest and engagement. The only thing you can do is not respond. Also, don't sit curbside if possible. They like reaching over and/or putting the watches on the table while you are sitting there having a beer or eating. A real repulsive lot.

On 6/15/2025 at 2:00 AM, Nicco said:

 

Never get rid of them. They'll hound you like wolves.

 

They don't bother me in cowboy anymore, but cowboy so boring I stopped going there 🤷‍♂️

 

They have loansharking in cowboy. Probably Sukhumvit as well.

 

I even see them up by me. Gotta be loansharking

I simply say no to them in French....

If it works, problem solved...

17 minutes ago, Andre0720 said:

I simply say no to them in French....

If it works, problem solved...

And what if you ask for French ?

That's one way 

Selling a watch is a bit different to going up to someone and throwing some abuse at them like saying 'YOU ARE FAT'. 

 

That hurts. It's a weird marketting policy to abuse someone. 

 

One of these Indian guys approached my mate and just went up to him 'YOU ARE BALD' - even though he had done his best to conceal the lengths of his hair loss. 

 

The strategy to hurt someone so bad that you would feel the need for immediate medication to help ?

 

 

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

Selling a watch is a bit different to going up to someone and throwing some abuse at them like saying 'YOU ARE FAT'. 

 

That hurts. It's a weird marketting policy to abuse someone. 

 

One of these Indian guys approached my mate and just went up to him 'YOU ARE BALD' - even though he had done his best to conceal the lengths of his hair loss. 

 

The strategy to hurt someone so bad that you would feel the need for immediate medication to help ?

 

 

So far my receipt is to make the guy feel even worse, immediately throw worst words you know back clear and loud so everyone around hears - go f yourself stupid mzfk , like this. Remember these are not normal sellers but scammers trying to sell bs honey and oil for 50k baht to gullible  individuals with psychological tricks, on normal person it not works, but seems there are people falling for it.