Pictures courtesy of Daily News

An Indian tourist has filed a police complaint in Pattaya after allegedly being deceived into purchasing herbal hair treatment products at an exorbitant price, resulting in a financial loss of 43,400 baht. The incident has prompted local police to begin an investigation and attempt to trace those involved.

The complaint was lodged at 3.09am on 3 January 2026 at Pattaya City Police Station by Mr Jitendra Sahu, aged 45, an Indian national. He told investigators that he believed he had been misled by a group of foreign men into buying products he later felt were grossly overpriced.

According to Mr Sahu, the incident began at around 8.30pm on 2 January while he was walking along Pattaya Second Road near Marine Plaza alley. He was approached by approximately four foreign men who initiated a friendly conversation and claimed to have herbal products capable of treating hair loss.

The group allegedly persuaded him to accompany them to a shop called Thai Natural Herbal. There, he purchased two 200-millilitre bottles of an unidentified herbal mixture combined with coconut oil, along with one 100-millilitre bottle of coconut oil.

The total cost of the three items was 43,400 baht. After the purchase, Mr Sahu became suspicious that the price far exceeded the true value of the products and believed he may have been the victim of a scam. He subsequently decided to report the matter to police to ensure the incident was formally recorded and to allow authorities to take legal action if warranted.

Investigating officers confirmed that they have accepted the complaint and are currently verifying the facts presented. Police are also working to identify and locate the individuals involved in order to question them further.

The Daily News reported that the case adds to ongoing concerns about scams targeting tourists in busy areas of Pattaya, particularly those involving high-priced goods sold through aggressive or deceptive tactics. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether similar complaints have been linked to the same shop or group.

Key Takeaways

• An Indian tourist reported losing 43,400 baht after allegedly being misled into buying herbal hair products in Pattaya.

• The incident occurred on 2 January 2026 on Pattaya Second Road near Marine Plaza alley.

• Pattaya police have recorded the complaint and are seeking those involved for further questioning.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Dailynews 2026-01-04

 

 

Seems to be reminiscent of the damaged jet ski scam, although it should be easier for the police to locate where it all took place.

Buyer's remorse doesn't make it a scam. He paid money and received a product. Caveat Emptor.

Gullible Indians again.

Idiot.

Happened to a German guy few weeks back.

If you going bald just shave it down, Kojak style.

3 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Gullible Indians again.

So Germans are gullible as well

1 hour ago, Gsxrnz said:

Buyer's remorse doesn't make it a scam. He paid money and received a product. Caveat Emptor.

Another hair-brained purchase.

Reported to police after 03:00?

🙃🙃

'Repeat-offender shops are frequently found closed during inspections. Police said they are investigating the case.' From the BP this morning. The police should investigate why the shops are often closed before their inspections.

"The total cost of the three items was 43,400 baht. After the purchase, Mr Sahu became suspicious that the price far exceeded the true value of the products and believed he may have been the victim of a scam."

So the Indian guy didn't think this before the purchase???

48 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

"The total cost of the three items was 43,400 baht. After the purchase, Mr Sahu became suspicious that the price far exceeded the true value of the products and believed he may have been the victim of a scam."

So the Indian guy didn't think this before the purchase???

Him LB friend said "All true and real".🙃🙃

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The complaint was lodged at 3.09am on 3 January 2026 at Pattaya City Police Station

What the hell is it with Indians out and about in the wee hours, doing things like getting robbed and buying stupid stuff on the street?

You bought it, babu, it's yours. What led you to suddenly get the impression it is overpriced?

He forgot to mention that a ladyboy was included with the purchase.

3 minutes ago, bendejo said:

What the hell is it with Indians out and about in the wee hours, doing things like getting robbed and buying stupid stuff on the street?

You bought it, babu, it's yours. What led you to suddenly get the impression it is overpriced?

I guess you're just another Indian hater who missed the exact same scam being reported to the police a couple of weeks back by a German guy "out and about in the wee hours, doing things like getting robbed and buying stupid stuff on the street."

and peoples will say indian dont spend money in thailand😂

Do not redeem your rupees, sirs. It’s a scam.

That's some expensive guacamole he's holding

I’m struggling to understand how anyone hears “your hair needs this product” from a random stranger on a street in a foreign country and thinks handing over cash is a good idea. That’s not a scam, that’s pure stupidity.

On 1/4/2026 at 10:31 AM, still kicking said:

So Germans are gullible as well

Confuciuos say... a fool and his money soon do part

looks like 2 bottles of nam jim seafood

On 1/4/2026 at 6:52 AM, Georgealbert said:

The total cost of the three items was 43,400 baht.

Three items? The screenshot with the receipts indicates he bought 14 bottles of each which would be 42 items in total and the prices do not seem that extreme for "Herbal Products" (250 - 1,650THB each). Or is that the scam, that they charged him for 42 and only gave him 3? But didn't he notice the missing 39 bottles???

On 1/4/2026 at 6:52 AM, Georgealbert said:

After the purchase, Mr Sahu became suspicious that the price far exceeded the true value of the products and believed he may have been the victim of a scam.

Ok, so he thought 43,400THB was too expensive for 3 bottles (in this scenario we're assuming he didn't try to buy 42). So why did he agree to pay it - how do you become "suspicious" that the price exceeds the value after looking at what you've got and then paying it? I can see this happening with an online purchase, but the dude was literally there, took some stuff and then paid 43K.

On 1/4/2026 at 9:47 AM, NanLaew said:

I guess you're just another Indian hater who missed the exact same scam being reported to the police a couple of weeks back by a German guy "out and about in the wee hours, doing things like getting robbed and buying stupid stuff on the street."

You are wasting your time, if you are not an Indian or Brit hater then you have no place on this site.

The same goes with me for I am a Brit and I have no problem with the Indians in the UK who prop up our NHS, so just read the stupid comments and then laugh out loud at their stupidity. 😂

I'm amazed at the lengths some people will go to in order to change their bodies, whether it's their hair, scent, or clothing.

43,000 Baht to grow the stuff I shave away each week...

On 1/4/2026 at 6:01 AM, still kicking said:

So Germans are gullible as well

People become gullible only for 'hair products'?

Here it was only 43,400 THB. But I've heard of people loosing millions... are they gullible people too?

Another one! Whoever is selling this crap to the gullible certainly has a good salesman on the team!

On 1/4/2026 at 10:19 AM, AndyAndyAndy said:

Do not redeem your rupees, sirs. It’s a scam.

Do not redeem! DO NOT REDEEM!! 🤣🤣

The hair scam perpetuators are indians too.

for this victim, if he felt the need to grow hair after midnight, he deserves to lose the 1500 bucks

It's nor so bad, normally Indians share a purchase amongst their mates (Beers, Coffee, Tea, even Ladyboys), so it workes out at about Thb 04.00 each...🤣👍😁

Bro just wait. Pelage Pharma is moving in to Phase 3 with the PP405 topical drug with expected 2028 FDA clearance, shows decent results, no surgery or injections.

5 minutes ago, J Branche said:

Bro just wait. Pelage Pharma is moving in to Phase 3 with the PP405 topical drug with expected 2028 FDA clearance, shows decent results, no surgery or injections.

Bought some for 38.000 baht in a little hut like shop in Pattaya only the other day. No result yet, but ever optimistic!