Indian street scammers in Sukhumvit

[FriscoKid]

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.

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, FriscoKid said:

I immediately them to "Fu*k Off"

you did the right thing

[theshu25]

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.

[blaze master]

Then there are the ones....

 

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

 

F off nerd.

[Jim Blue]

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

[quake]

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.  

[Gsxrnz]

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

[Nomoneynohoney]

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

[impulse]

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).

 

[Nicco]

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

[Nicco]

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

[Patong2021]

One need not engage. Just ignore and carry on.

[FriscoKid]

6 hours ago, quake said:

 

No, I'm bald.  

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

[impulse]

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.

 

[DonniePeverley]

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 ? 

[Quentin Zen]

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.

[greeneking]

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.