Scam Artist Sparks Alert In Kamala

Scam artist sparks alert in Kamala

KAMALA: -- Police are warning people to beware of a scam artist posing as an electrician after one foreign resident was bilked out of 1,000 baht by the man.

Pol Capt Pongnarin Sutin of Kamala Police Sub-District told the Gazette that a man posing as an electrician went to the home of a foreign resident and told the man’s Thai wife that he was there to inspect the wiring in the house.

Capt Pongnarin said the couple, who live in a rented house, may have believed the con man had been hired by their landlord, which is why they allowed him to enter the premises.

After the cursory “inspection”, the man demanded 200 baht for his services. After being given a 1,000 baht note, he departed swiftly on a motorbike without giving change.

The victims described the con artist as probably Thai, overweight, bearded, short-haired and we aring a red shirt. Police said that many Kamala residents had fallen for the same scam.

He warned residents to ask workmen for identification before allowing them to enter their homes and also to check with their landlords to confirm whether any work had been contracted and who was required to pay for it.

“In this case they lost only 1,000 baht – but they could have lost their lives,” he said, reiterating that it was unwise to allow strangers to enter one’s home.

When asked by the Gazette if there had been any progress in the investigation, Capt Pongnarin said, “We have notified both the Kathu Police and the Kamala Sub-District, but have been unsuccessful so far in our efforts to track down the culprit.”

--Phuket Gazette 2005-10-08