African Street Scammers In Thailand

[Eazy-Going]

Why is the 'racist' card always played in these discussions. What the OP writes IS fact! Why must we all try to be so PC about things all of the time, if they were white we would not be screaming racist! These Nigerian gangs are rife in the UK too, and the government there does not do anything about it, and I would hazard to suggest that the UK is more advanced in such issues than Thailand, however, I await the flaming regarding that statement.

They, (these gangs, regardless of culture, race, ethnic background), are a menace and what really peeves me is that honest, law abiding ex-pats like myself and many others on TV, jump through hoops to establish a life in Thailand, whereas these law breakers and scammers are allowed into the country, flaunt the laws of the country, have dealings in a multitude of illegal activities yet still live here. This also goes for the white people here engaging in illegal practices. It so bugs me when people start shouting 'racist', how do you know the colour of the OP's skin or religious undertaking? They are criminals and the Thai authorities should do something about it. They should not be as weak willed as those in the UK otherwise the system will break down and then you really will start to see nationalistic tendancies as we are not starting to witness in the UK.

[Takeo]

I know the race card is a tough one. But this artical is clearly generalising African males to be made out to all be criminals. I wont comment further, as i believe if i dont like the post, i dont have to follow it. But to those unsure of if this thread is is racist or not:

'racism can be described as the belief that a certain race or races portray undesirable characteristics (i.e all being criminals).'

[tonywebster]

I know the race card is a tough one. But this artical is clearly generalising African males to be made out to all be criminals. I wont comment further, as i believe if i dont like the post, i dont have to follow it. But to those unsure of if this thread is is racist or not:

'racism can be described as the belief that a certain race or races portray undesirable characteristics (i.e all being criminals).'

I didn't realise the whole of the African population is hanging around Soi 5, or is more likely that he is referring to now all African, simply a minority in a particular area of Bangkok?

No generalising here my friend

[Naam]

North African male criminals... a mix of Nigerians and Ghanaians...

[Tonto21]

Very few of them have jobs or business here in Thailand, are here for tourism, or do anything to add to the local economy except spending a bit of money on cheap apartments, alcohol, and food. The bulk of what they are involved with here are criminal activities.

I'm sure you have done exhaustive research on this topic to be able to provide us with this wisdom. Undercover investigative journalism? Well done. Did you have to use shoe polish to fool them into believing you are 'one of them'?

Hi Sing Sling

Well mate one thing for sure you’re not alone in you thinking……. Mores the pity!

Research….. What research does he need to do? If it wags its tail, walks and barks like a dog……. It’s a dog! Wisdom, well I think “Johnny john” way ahead off you on this one.

As for, Popeye33! “If you say you’re not a racist, that means you are”! Pathetic, well, on that assumption that make me a card carrying, fully paid up member of the KKK, great deduction, The statement smack of Mensa’s involvement………… Not.

[Naam]

A little bit more on African scams in general.

The street scams the Africans are carrying out in Thailand are based on the original Advance Fee Fraud scams developed in Nigeria. Here is some basic information copied directly from the FBI web site on Advance Fee Schemes:

yeah right! the africans hang around in the streets of BKK and offer millions to any bypasser to is willing to shell out a few thousands in advance fees.

GET REAL MAN!

[JohnnyJohn]

For all the posters here talking about racism, making jokes about black people in general, and who can't come up with anything intelligent to add to this post, my wife is of ethnic African descent and does no appreciate all the comments.

The African street scam that my African American friend was taken by 6-7 years ago is a text-book scam called the Black Money Scam (as noted in my original post). It is in itself a form of advance fee fraud. The format and modality of securing the advance fee from the victim is irrelevant as I mentioned before. The black money scam is just one of many techniques used, but one of the best adapted as a street scam so it is widely used on the streets of Bangkok. The fact that my friend paid cash in advance as a fee to one of these African scammers in excess of $10,000 and lost it is what makes it advance fee fraud. The definition of the Black Money Scam according to Wikipedia is as follows:

"The black money scam, sometimes also known as the 'wash wash scam', is a scam where con artists attempt to fraudulently obtain money from a victim by persuading him or her that piles of banknote-sized paper in a trunk or a safe is really money which has been dyed black (e.g. to avoid detection by customs). The victim is persuaded to pay for chemicals to wash the "money" with a promise that he will share in the proceeds. The black money scam first appeared around the year 2000. It is yet another variation of what is known as advance fee fraud."

You can read the rest of it on Wikipedia.

Edited April 2, 2010 by JohnnyJohn

[mark45y]

Did anyone read the OP’s posts? First he got his cell phone ripped off violently and next he deposited 60,000 baht in an ATM which disappeared. Now he knows an American black who got conned by Nigerian scammers. Sure!

I don’t know why he writes this stuff. It would be interesting to know.

Does any thinking person put 60,000 in an ATM or even talk to an African in Bangkok? Come on, get real!

Who gets conned by Africans in Bangkok? Folk legend. Does anyone really know anyone?

[AnthonyR1]

seems MBK is a the latest stomping ground for these scams....well latest as far as i noticed. i was approached on the steps in, lasted about .005 of sec i just said 'heard it before' but this dude didn't bat an eyelash he simply moved on to the next person. very out in the open.

i also spotted a couple guys working the crowd outside of bumrungrad hospital a few months back.

i just think that nothing has been done about this because it probably functions under the radar and doesn't target thais....i think.

[Huey]

Ok, Yes and No.

Yes there is definitely a element of racism going on because if this post was about bashing the negative traits of say, Jews for example. It would not have made it past page 1. Why is it ok to bash some people but not others? Everyone has their scams and cons. And the scum bags that perpetrate them come in ALL colors.

NO, it's not all about race. Why? because, hel_l yes there are a TON of Black African Scamsters, heck, I'm Black American just like the OP's buddy and one African Scamster tried the same scam on me! I saw it coming a mile a way and I just reprimanded him for having the audacity to try that BS on me.

Edited April 2, 2010 by Huey

[JohnnyJohn]

(mark45y @ 2010-04-02 17:40:57) *

Did anyone read the OP's posts? First he got his cell phone ripped off violently and next he deposited 60,000 baht in an ATM which disappeared. Now he knows an American black who got conned by Nigerian scammers. Sure! I don't know why he writes this stuff. It would be interesting to know. Does any thinking person put 60,000 in an ATM or even talk to an African in Bangkok? Come on, get real! Who gets conned by Africans in Bangkok? Folk legend. Does anyone really know anyone?

Yours is by far the best post on this thread so far. At least I got a good, hard chuckle out of it. But truth is stranger than fiction. So would you rather me write about the usual dribbles of Thai Bar Girl problems, Teaching English in Thailand, Visa Extension Problems, or The Double Tiered Farang Pricing instead (none of which I suffer from)?

By the way, I got my missing ATM deposit of 41,000 Baht credited to my account by SCB in 2 business days.

Edited April 2, 2010 by JohnnyJohn

[Naam]

Did anyone read the OP’s posts? First he got his cell phone ripped off violently and next he deposited 60,000 baht in an ATM which disappeared. Now he knows an American black who got conned by Nigerian scammers. Sure!

I don’t know why he writes this stuff. It would be interesting to know. Does any thinking person put 60,000 in an ATM or even talk to an African in Bangkok? Come on, get real! Who gets conned by Africans in Bangkok? Folk legend. Does anyone really know anyone?

must have been a black ATM

[AnthonyR1]

Who gets conned by Africans in Bangkok? Folk legend. Does anyone really know anyone?

they must be having a certain amount of success otherwise they wouldn't be out there trying. and they are out there that's for sure dude

[JohnnyJohn]

Who gets conned by Africans in Bangkok? Folk legend. Does anyone really know anyone?

they must be having a certain amount of success otherwise they wouldn't be out there trying. and they are out there that's for sure dude

The sad truth is they get quite a few. One big hit and a few of these guys can coast for a good while in Bangkok on cheap food and drink looking for the next victim. The problem is many of the incidents are unreported because many of the victims are embarrassed. And the police are not going to publicize the ones that do get reported. Many crimes here are only known by word of mouth.

[mca]

As soon as anyone like this approaches me I take INSTANT and DIRECT action which has always resulted in them moving away from me quickly.

Please tell me you don't get your cock out, wave it at the scammers and say " Speak into the microphone and say a big hello to all the folks back home in Lagos!"

[JohnnyJohn]

<br />

As soon as anyone like this approaches me I take INSTANT and DIRECT action which has always resulted in them moving away from me quickly.

<br /><br />Please tell me you don't get your cock out, wave it at the scammers and say " Speak into the microphone and say a big hello to all the folks back home in Lagos!"<br /><br /> <img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> <br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

To get rid of them quickly, just ask them if you can borrow some money for a plane ticket home. Works like a charm

[tigerfish]

I truly resent all the racist comments that are evolving within this post, particularly the petty people accusing myself of being racist when they know absolutely nothing about me. I could even be of African decent myself.

What I posted is purely factual information for everyone's awarness and in hopes that it might bring about a change or even prevent someone else from getting ripped off. Where else have you read such pointed, factual information about this situation in Thailand?

As one poster said, we can't deny there is a serious problem and I am simply bringing it to light and helping to educate some people about it who might not be aware. FULL STOP.

I found your blog quite interesting. The racist card will always come out on this type of subject, but who cares, perhaps once l did but after becoming second in my own country, to make way and go "over the top" for immigrants squeezing in, l now think differently.

i will second that!

[BigWheelMan]

Add this to the list:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Phuket-Resor...rr-t352669.html

Rather makes the African scammers appear like piggy bank snatchers.

No ones does the job better than a Farang.

[BigWheelMan]

Add this to the list:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Phuket-Resor...rr-t352669.html

Rather makes the African scammers appear like piggy bank snatchers.

No ones does the job better than a Farang.

You obviously have never experienced these peoples antics, all over the world, for decades preying on people. 'You" can find all sorts of crime by different nationalities, what ever, but the thread is about ONE type of parasite.

I`ve had plenty of experience with African scammers. Emails etc, but never been dumb enough to fall for them.

But as they say, there is one born every minute.

No, I still say, the white man does it better, so how about a thread specifically on white scammers, illegals and criminals in Thailand?

[mark45y]

(mark45y @ 2010-04-02 17:40:57) *

Did anyone read the OP's posts? First he got his cell phone ripped off violently and next he deposited 60,000 baht in an ATM which disappeared. Now he knows an American black who got conned by Nigerian scammers. Sure! I don't know why he writes this stuff. It would be interesting to know. Does any thinking person put 60,000 in an ATM or even talk to an African in Bangkok? Come on, get real! Who gets conned by Africans in Bangkok? Folk legend. Does anyone really know anyone?

Yours is by far the best post on this thread so far. At least I got a good, hard chuckle out of it. But truth is stranger than fiction. So would you rather me write about the usual dribbles of Thai Bar Girl problems, Teaching English in Thailand, Visa Extension Problems, or The Double Tiered Farang Pricing instead (none of which I suffer from)?

By the way, I got my missing ATM deposit of 41,000 Baht credited to my account by SCB in 2 business days.

Why pray tell would you deposit 60,000 baht in an ATM? This is Thailand! Why did you not go in the bank?

I have never met anyone stupid enough to talk to an African in Bangkok. Someone come forward and tell us about it.

I really can't imagine you live in Thailand. Am I wrong? If so how long have you been here?

[JohnnyJohn]

Add this to the list:<a href="http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Phuket-Resort-Scam-British-CEO-Arr-t352669.html" target="_blank">http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Phuket-Resor...rr-t352669.html</a>Rather makes the African scammers appear like piggy bank snatchers.No ones does the job better than a Farang.

You obviously have never experienced these peoples antics, all over the world, for decades preying on people. 'You" can find all sorts of crime by different nationalities, what ever, but the thread is about ONE type of parasite.

I`ve had plenty of experience with African scammers. Emails etc, but never been dumb enough to fall for them.But as they say, there is one born every minute.No, I still say, the white man does it better, so how about a thread specifically on white scammers, illegals and criminals in Thailand?

That would be great. It would be fantastic to make everyone more aware of all the different scams being tried on people here. The "white man" scams as you call them are often a bit more clever and credulous, involve larger sums of money as people pointed out, and involve more layers of deception. They also target their victims more selectively using certain profiles and are far more fewer between in general. Which is good. The problem with the Africans unfortunately is the sheer numbers of them coming into Thailand now with the pure intention of doing something illegal which is the purpose of pointing out the issue in this post and what makes them a bigger problem in general. They take a shot gun approach and most people coming in contact with them on the streets of Bangkok get approached by them sooner or later on the Black Money scam or something like it. If I weren't so rude to them by ignoring them when they try to talk to me, I would get hit up by them on a daily basis.

[BigWheelMan]

Add this to the list:<a href="http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Phuket-Resort-Scam-British-CEO-Arr-t352669.html" target="_blank">http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Phuket-Resor...rr-t352669.html</a>Rather makes the African scammers appear like piggy bank snatchers.No ones does the job better than a Farang.

You obviously have never experienced these peoples antics, all over the world, for decades preying on people. 'You" can find all sorts of crime by different nationalities, what ever, but the thread is about ONE type of parasite.

I`ve had plenty of experience with African scammers. Emails etc, but never been dumb enough to fall for them.But as they say, there is one born every minute.No, I still say, the white man does it better, so how about a thread specifically on white scammers, illegals and criminals in Thailand?

That would be great. It would be fantastic to make everyone more aware of all the different scams being tried on people here. The "white man" scams as you call them are often a bit more clever and credulous, involve larger sums of money as people pointed out, and involve more layers of deception. They also target their victims more selectively using certain profiles and are far more fewer between in general. Which is good. The problem with the Africans unfortunately is the sheer numbers of them coming into Thailand now with the pure intention of doing something illegal which is the purpose of pointing out the issue in this post and what makes them a bigger problem in general. They take a shot gun approach and most people coming in contact with them on the streets of Bangkok get approached by them sooner or later on the Black Money scam or something like it. If I weren't so rude to them by ignoring them when they try to talk to me, I would get hit up by them on a daily basis.

So that`s the answer; unless you are gullible or stupid enough to go along with the scam, just ignore them.

Problem solved.

Edited April 2, 2010 by BigWheelMan

[smokie36]

As we seem to be talking about just a couple of streets in Bangkok its hardly racist to describe its inhabitants. Great kebabs there by the way best in Bangkok...dunno about the rest well I gave up some years ago....!

[Sing_Sling]

What the OP writes IS fact! Why must we all try to be so PC about things all of the time,

What the OP writes is fact? Strange as facts usually need to be substantiated . . . yet the OP fails to cite any such thing.

When I was at Uni we had to cite and quote to make an argument . . . here some think that by just stating that something is a 'fact' . . . it becomes one.

North African male criminals... a mix of Nigerians and Ghanaians...

Now if only Nigerians and Ghanaians were considered to be North Africans . . .

[syd barrett]

These black African scammers are everywhere not just Thailand.

They are on the streets of Tokyo and on the streets of London and on the streets of Paris and Amsterdam.

Just say 'No' and tell all your friends and family to just say 'No'.

The OP has made valid points but this world is full of dangers, financial fraud happens in every country of the world.

[bonobo]

Off-topic posts have been deleted.

Other posts are veering towards breaking posting regulations, so let's keep it civil.

Thanks.

[PXR5]

It is not about RACE, some people like to play that card everytime it suits them.

It is a fact !

[Lammbock]

I just tell you guys one thing. The Africans making BIG drug business in Thailand. Cocaine is really coming into Thailand.

The middle and high-so discovered Cocaine as the new "must have".

[Loz]

Funny,

this takes me back to my years travelling on Business in the UK. Used to know which service stations I'd be offered some hot designer watch that had just been on display at a watch show and I could get it well under the advertised price (ad in the magazine that they had handy...)

I already had a watch. So what about one for your girlfriend? Well, no thanks, she works for Patek Philippe so we are both fine for watches thanks.

Not so much an inconvenience as a little distraction on an otherwise purposeful day. But yes, you could see the boss man in the rented Merc going around the carpark looking for fresh punters.

And what about those pikeys who would take over an abbandoned shop and run an auction for worthless crap that you only caught a glimps of. I remember waiting for a good 20 minutes as a kid to get an SLR camera from these fools. turns out it looked like an SLR but was infact a regular peice of crappola!

I've never bought a TV and got home to find out it was a box of bricks, but it looks funny when the pull that stuff on telly!

Leave the boys alone. The real crooks are in parliaments all over the world. They just have a better patter.

[Edmond]

These guys will try every trick in the book...