Jet ski scams use fake photos

PATTAYA: -- In spite of promises galore, late summer is upon us and yet the awful curse of the Pattaya jet ski scammers is still with us.

As everyone knows, the jet ski mafia is still extorting mega-cash from tourists after false claims of serious damage to the rented craft. Huge sums of up to 150,000 baht have been demanded for no or very little damage to one of the 400 or so jet skis available for hire in the resort.

The responsibility to sort out the mess, which is doing Pattaya so much harm in the international and local media, is clearly that of City Hall. That’s where the buck stops.

The Pattaya mayor has promised to “keep watch” on the operators as have his deputies and the chief of police.

There has been talk of telephone hotlines and arbitration panels. Yet almost daily reports of tourists being shamelessly exploited still reach this newspaper. Victims talk of being threatened with beatings if they don’t fork out big sums.

The latest ploy of the scammers is to take several photos of the renters on the jet ski before they set out to sea. Then the camera’s memory card is removed and the picture photo-shopped to remove signs of damage, dents or scrapes on the hull. The memory chip is then reloaded into the camera and the returning tourists confronted with a fake picture of themselves with a damaged jet ski.

Full story and pictures HERE

--PATTAYA TODAY 2011-11-04

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Jeez, if they had followed ThaiVisa they would have known about the fake photos many moons ago!!

It is a nice touch. They have a signed " I will pay for any new damage rental form" completed before the holidaymakers set off.

And when they get they return several pics of themselves on what appears to be a perfect ski while the one they are sitting on has multiple scratches.

Whatever money that is later paid is never spent on scratch repair because the same ploy can be used again and again. Which is exactly what happens

5 of the scammers were arrested after they stormed the lobby of the Marriott Hotel, threatening the guests.

The hotel association should take action, have a warning for all their guests.

Something to read before you go to the beach.

5 of the scammers were arrested after they stormed the lobby of the Marriott Hotel, threatening the guests.

The hotel association should take action, have a warning for all their guests.

Something to read before you go to the beach.

the Marriott hotel has such a sign and it has been there several years.

It is located as you leave their swimming pool area to beach road next to the royal garden plaza.

More on Pattaya Jet Ski scam here