A 77-year-old Norwegian man has reported losing more than 5,000 baht after a man dressed similarly to a motorcycle taxi rider allegedly took cash from his wallet on Pratumnak Road in Pattaya.

The victim, Mr Ingar Opseph, said the suspect first offered him a ride, then asked for money for food before reaching into his wallet and fleeing on a motorcycle.

The incident was reported to have occurred at 12.20am on 24 August 2026, opposite Pratumnak Soi 10.

Money taken as wallet was opened

Mr Opseph's 55-year-old Thai girlfriend told reporters that he had been walking home after exercising and was waiting to cross the road. Their home is about 200 metres from where the incident happened.

A Thai man, wearing what appeared to be a motorcycle taxi vest, allegedly rode against the traffic flow and stopped in front of him. He offered to take Mr Opseph home, but the Norwegian declined because he was close to his residence.

The man then claimed he had no money to buy food and asked for help, according to the girlfriend.

Mr Opseph intended to give him 20 baht. However, as he opened his wallet, the suspect allegedly saw 1,000-baht notes, reached inside and took more than 5,000 baht in cash.

He then rode away against traffic towards the Pratumnak traffic-light junction, also known as the Khao Phra Tamnak junction.

The theft happened so quickly that Mr Opseph was unable to recall details of the motorcycle, its registration plate or any number on the rider's vest.

Couple ask police to check CCTV

The couple later filed a complaint with Pol Lt Col Itthikorn Saikratok, an investigating inspector at Pattaya City Police Station. They also approached the media because they were concerned the case might not progress, and asked police to check CCTV footage around the scene and the suspected escape route.

Mr Opseph's girlfriend said he had previously been targeted in Jomtien Soi 5 several years ago, when a gold necklace worth tens of thousands of baht was snatched. A police report was made at the time, but the person responsible has not been found.

Mr Opseph said he felt upset and "stupid for believing" the man. He has lived in Thailand for more than 15 years and said he did not expect somebody he tried to help to take his money.

The victim urged tourists and Pattaya residents to be especially cautious if strangers ask for money or try to get close to them.

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25 August 2026

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Sad way to repay an attempt at an act of kindness.

Never get your wallet out close to strangers like that, he could have grabbed the whole thing and been away like a dust devil.

CCTV surveillance catch anything?

Always use grab/bolt. Why those motodopes as we used to call them in Cambodia still get business escapes me.

When I go exercising in Jomtien, I only take 100 Baht in small biils. Sometimes I give to beggars, but know if they try to snatch, it is only a small amount.

Take the missus next time

Classic snatch and grab theft.

Experienced travelers always keep big money in the safe in the hotel or back in your condo. 👈

Small money in pocket for everything else

Conclusion: This guy isn't an experienced traveler

8 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

Classic snatch and grab theft.

Experienced travelers always keep big money in the safe in the hotel or back in your condo. 👈

Small money in pocket for everything else

Conclusion: This guy isn't an experienced traveler

He came from a time and place where one didn't expect such things to happen. It's not even really necessary to bring any cash out with the QR prompt pay system

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Mr Opseph's 55-year-old Thai girlfriend told reporters that he had been walking home after exercising and was waiting to cross the road.

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The incident was reported to have occurred at 12.20am on 24 August 2026, opposite Pratumnak Soi 10.

I sure as heck dont go out and exercise after midnight. How many of you do, or know of someone who does?

Dare say Norway spent his wallet on some "s exercise" and this fantasy excuse was to satisfy Mrs Norway, mmm 5k bht wanna be good😉

2 hours ago, gargamon said:

Always use grab/bolt. Why those motodopes as we used to call them in Cambodia still get business escapes me.

He wasn’t using the motorcycle taxi, or motodopes as you call them in Cambodia.

“A Thai man, wearing what appeared to be a motorcycle taxi vest, allegedly rode against the traffic flow and stopped in front of him. He offered to take Mr Opseph home, but the Norwegian declined because he was close to his residence.”

Money go down, crime go up.

No good deed goes unpunished! All that the elderly Norwegian wanted todo was help and this is what happened.

What has happened to the Taxi driver does good stories 🤑

I feel a good taxi story coming up soon

Finds a wallet or someone's case full of money ect

Put the good feeling factor and trust back in Thai taxi drivers does good

This is a simple case of a low-life criminal who would rather take the lazy way out than do an honest day's work. Unfortunately the police may turn a blind eye as there is no money or incentive to track him down. I agree with the girlfriend who approached the media based on her concern that that the case may not progress on a timely basis (smile).

Two wallets: The real one and the decoy with small money.

4 hours ago, gargamon said:

Always use grab/bolt. Why those motodopes as we used to call them in Cambodia still get business escapes me.

Bolt is the dogs......use them all the the time now when we are in BKK.

Just bought myself a money clip......not that there's much to put in it......and a fancy little magnetic wallet that goes on the back of my iPhone for credit cards .........and it doubles up as a stand.

Feels neater and safer, but I guess if someone grabbed my phone they get the credit cards as well!!!

41 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

Bolt is the dogs......use them all the the time now when we are in BKK.

Was doing a trip from BKK to Pattaya a few weeks ago. Grab was over 1500, and no driver would accept the trip. Lots of people waiting at the grab pickup. Bolt was 1100 but I had to catch him on the 4th level where he was waiting as they can't pick up on ground level.

me thinks grandpa past midnight tried to pay for sex and maybe he learned his lesson

4 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

He came from a time and place where one didn't expect such things to happen. It's not even really necessary to bring any cash out with the QR prompt pay system

Presumably to use the QR prompt pay system, whatever that is, you need to be carrying your smartphone. I’d hugely prefer to lose 5,000 baht cash than have my smartphone stolen, together with its SIM card I need for 2 factor authentication for my Australian banking.

32 minutes ago, Jimbolkb said:

me thinks grandpa past midnight tried to pay for sex and maybe he learned his lesson

Thats because you are to dumb to be able to read the words of the story....

5,000 baht after midnight. Been there, done that! 555!

It is well known that the taxi drivers in Pattaya charge ridiculous prices and never use the meter which they are supposed to use.

5 hours ago, marin said:

I sure as heck dont go out and exercise after midnight. How many of you do, or know of someone who does?

Regularly. Less traffic with it's resulting fumes.

52 minutes ago, Jimbolkb said:

me thinks grandpa past midnight tried to pay for sex and maybe he learned his lesson

if he's still getting an urge at 77 yo, good on him....

5000 Baht isn't even that much.

File the police charges, but don't lose too much sleep over it.

55 minutes ago, Jimbolkb said:

me thinks grandpa past midnight tried to pay for sex and maybe he learned his lesson

Me thinks you should read the OP before you make such ASSumptions.

14 hours ago, Pasak110 said:

if he's still getting an urge at 77 yo, good on him....

Same age as me and I’m jealous.

I’d gladly pay 5000 baht to get the hard-on’s of my youth.

On 8/25/2026 at 8:28 AM, Olmate said:

Dare say Norway spent his wallet on some "s exercise" and this fantasy excuse was to satisfy Mrs Norway, mmm 5k bht wanna be good😉

What on earth are you talking about? Your post makes no sense whatsoever.

20 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

It is well known that the taxi drivers in Pattaya charge ridiculous prices and never use the meter which they are supposed to use.

Where in this article does in mention taxi drivers?

A purported motorcycle taxi rider, who in fact was not a real one, stopped and after a brief conversation, grabbed money from the guys wallet.

There is no taxi driver involved, no price for a journey involved and no meter, used or otherwise.