Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

 

Police are searching for two foreign suspects after dismantling a transnational romance scam network that allegedly defrauded a Thai single mother of nearly 22 million Baht over more than two years. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) said 13 suspects have been arrested, while a Canadian and a Cambodian national remain at large, highlighting the scale and cross-border nature of the fraud.

 

The case emerged after the victim filed a complaint through the Thai police online reporting system with the Anti-Online Scam Centre. Investigators said she was groomed into an online romantic relationship beginning in 2023 after meeting a man on the ThaiCupid dating website, before the conversation moved to the LINE messaging application.

 

According to police, the suspect claimed to be a Jordanian single father whose overseas business had failed. He later persuaded the woman to invest with him abroad, promising that if the venture succeeded he would relocate to Thailand to live with her, a claim that investigators say was used to build trust and prolong the deception.

 

Between January 2024 and July 2025, the woman transferred money 42 times, losing a total of 21.9 million baht, police said. She reported the case after communication with the man declined and she suspected she had been deceived.

 

CIB Commissioner Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chawnasit said warrants were issued for 17 suspects, including 14 Thai nationals and three foreigners, one Canadian, one Cambodian and one Swiss national. Thirteen suspects were arrested across nine provinces, while two others were already in prison on unrelated cases, leaving two foreign suspects still being sought.

 

Police identified the remaining fugitives as Mr. Yat, a Canadian national and Mr. Kim, a Cambodian national. All arrested suspects denied the charges, with some claiming they were only involved in buying and selling digital currency, while others said they were paid by unknown individuals to open bank accounts and install mobile banking applications.

 

Investigators said bank accounts linked to the network were connected to at least 19 other call-centre scam cases, causing additional losses of more than 36 million baht. Combined with the latest case, total damages exceeded 50 million baht, police said.

 

Authorities warned the public against transferring money to people met online or agreeing to investment solicitations without verifying identities. Police also cautioned that buying or selling bank accounts or registered SIM cards is a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 500,000 baht.

 

“This case shows that the length of online contact is not a reliable measure of trust,” a senior police official said. “Even relationships that last more than a year without meeting in person can hide serious dangers.” Khoasod reported that police said efforts are continuing to locate the two remaining suspects and expand the investigation into related fraud cases.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Police arrested 13 suspects linked to a romance scam that allegedly stole nearly US$705,000 from one victim.

• Two foreign suspects, a Canadian and a Cambodian, remain at large under active arrest warrants.

• Investigators say the network is linked to wider call-centre scams causing losses exceeding US$1.6 million.

 

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-12-27

 

 

Post using offensive language removed @flaming dragon rule 15.You may not discriminate, use slurs, or post hostile or abusive comments based on personal characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability, medical history, marital or family status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Posts breaching this rule will be removed, and posting suspension or account closure may result.

Why do I never meet these single women with so much money to give away 🙄

1 hour ago, ronster said:

Why do I never meet these single women with so much money to give away 🙄

 

You mustn't have got the spin and lies up to the mark!

 

I honestly find it mental that a lady could give away 22 million in a romance scam to someone she has never met.

 

How the hell did she manage to accrue such capital and be a total fool?

5 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

You mustn't have got the spin and lies up to the mark!

 

I honestly find it mental that a lady could give away 22 million in a romance scam to someone she has never met.

 

How the hell did she manage to accrue such capital and be a total fool?

This is what I always wonder . How did they get so much money if so dumb to give it away and the amounts they give away are crazy 😧 

58 minutes ago, ronster said:

This is what I always wonder . How did they get so much money if so dumb to give it away and the amounts they give away are crazy 😧 

Maybe inherited from a rich parent or other family member.

Moñèý fròm ìñherìtance, ďìvòrce òŕ ĺotteŕý. Super riçh famiĺy. Doubt she worķèd at 7-11.

On 12/29/2025 at 2:37 AM, ronster said:

Why do I never meet these single women with so much money to give away 🙄

U was at my embassy and a thailady applied for a tourist visa to my country. The thai guy at the counter asked her if she had proof of money and she gave her bankbook and asked him if 40 millon baht was enough. The embassy employee get a really red face and didnt say nothing.