Photo via Facebook/ อธิปบูรพา

 

Three tourists in Pattaya fell victim to scams on November 17, losing significant amounts of money. A Chinese tourist and a Russian couple reported the incidents to local police, suspecting foreign nationals, potentially from an Arab country, of the crimes. The scams involved deceptive interactions leading to the tourists showing their cash, which was then subtly stolen.

 

The first victim, Wen Zhao, a 34-year-old from China, encountered the scam outside Akara Hotel Pattaya. A man approached him, requesting to see Chinese banknotes. Wen complied by displaying both Chinese and Thai currency from his bag. Though the suspect returned the visible cash, Wen later discovered 11,000 baht was missing.

 

Similarly, Russian tourists Aleksandr Kaminski, 42, and his wife fell victim to a scam at an outlet mall on Thep Prasit Road. Engaged in a friendly conversation by a foreign couple, they were persuaded to show their wallets. The suspects, after a brief look, returned the wallet. However, Kaminski later noticed 41,900 rubles, worth approximately 16,800 baht, had vanished.

 

Police are currently scrutinizing CCTV footage to identify the suspects, though there have been no new updates. Earlier on November 12, a German tourist was also scammed, losing over 140,000 baht. He was tricked into purchasing overpriced hair products by a man suspected to be from the Middle East, who charged his credit card excessively.

 

These incidents highlight a pattern of scams targeting tourists in Pattaya. Despite some arrests, repeat offenses occur, suggesting a persistent issue without lasting enforcement, reported The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways

• Multiple tourists in Pattaya have been scammed by foreign suspects.
• Similar scams have been reported previously, affecting various nationalities.
• Police efforts are ongoing, but no significant breakthroughs have been reported yet.

 

Related stories:

German Tourist Scammed in 140,000 Baht Pattaya Herbal Oil Deal

Australian Tourist Scammed by Foreign Herbal Medicine Gang

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-11-19

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Chinese tourist and a Russian couple reported the incidents to local police, suspecting foreign nationals, potentially from an Arab country, of the crimes

Rule number 1

 

When visiting Pattaya, stay away from foreigners 

If a stranger and foreigner asked me to show my cash I would politely say go away, or words to that effect.

36 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Rule number 1

 

When visiting Pattaya, stay away from foreigners 

Rule 1A....grow a brain

2 minutes ago, pomchop said:

Rule 1A....grow a brain

Some people can't

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Rule number 1

 

When visiting Pattaya, stay away from foreigners 

 

Rule number 2:

 

Don't give your wallet to 'friendly strangers', because they 'just want to have a look at the banknotes' in it... 😂

(Applies to Pattaya and any other place in the world.) 😉

41 minutes ago, pomchop said:

Rule 1A....grow a brain

Rule 1B, should there actually be a brain DON'T HAND YOUR F'ING WALLET AND MONEY TO ANYONE EVER! Also don't take candy from or go for a ride with strangers.

The old "wallet inspector" trick. I can't believe that people still fall for it.

1 hour ago, GreasyFingers said:

If a stranger and foreigner asked me to show my cash I would politely say go away, or words to that effect.

the question is who WOULDN'T do that? Imagine submitting to a search of your wallet by a random person when you're on vacation. Boggles the mind.

10 minutes ago, BangkokHank said:

The old "wallet inspector" trick. I can't believe that people still fall for it.

 

Almost on the same level as the free breast cancer examination.

5 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

If a stranger and foreigner asked me to show my cash I would politely say go away, or words to that effect.

Yeah, and maybe not so polite change of words, right? 😉

 

5 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Rule number 1

 

When visiting Pattaya, stay away from foreigners 

Said the foreigner 

Foreign embassies need to do their jobs and report back to their respective home countries as to issue warnings to their people on visiting Thailand and getting scammed, ripped off or even assaulted on the streets. 

I would pay to see that conversation.

 

Hello stranger can I hold your cash?

Sure

Thanks, bye

??? 

I wouldn’t call this a ‘scam’.  More like ‘here take my money’.  

16 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Rule number 1

 

When visiting Pattaya, stay away from foreigners 

Rule number 1

Don't give your money / wallet to a stranger.

Look, if you're stupid you're going to lose.

 

Next...

A Fool and their Money are soon parted.

This takes naivety to another level! 🙄

 

Scams in Pattaya?

 

I'm shocked! Shocked!

Handing your wallet containing money to a stranger is idiotic.

There is no way I would show my  cash 💸 💰 to strangers never mind handing it over to them to look at

Must be some mugs  🤡who do unfortunately for them 

 

There's one born every minute. Maybe two...

A fool and his money are soon parted

Universal, not only in Pattaya

It doesn't matter how stupid these scams get, they still find suckers to fall for them. 

Are the brains of modern men shrinking, maybe all the micro/nano plastics in our brains are responsible. 

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The scams involved deceptive interactions leading to the tourists showing their cash, which was then subtly stolen.

Morons....

21 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Almost on the same level as the free breast cancer examination.

I tried that on once.......ended up feeling a right tit!

On 11/19/2025 at 4:40 PM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Rule number 1

 

When visiting Pattaya, stay away from foreigners 

That's a bit harsh. I would say; do not trust unknown foreigners and ladyboys.

Unfortunately some people's elevator never makes it anywhere near the top floor.

On 11/19/2025 at 5:15 PM, GreasyFingers said:

If a stranger and foreigner asked me to show my cash I would politely say go away, or words to that effect.

Yes, I am of a similar ilk, I might expand on their vocabulary too!