Ivorian Held For 'Bilking' Bangkok Woman Of Bt5.3M In 'Black Money' Scam

[bobbysan124]

These Africans make a lot of women look like fools, not here but across Asia.

Make that "con artists," in general, and you're onto something. Nobody has cornered that market. And it's across the world.

[osiboy]

i know in phuket there are hundreds of farang "stung" or "tucked up" concerning business every year , i was one of the lucky ones and lost only about $3000 US , ........ Its nice to see it happen to a greedy thai for a change ! , ....what goes around comes around , any thai buddhist should know this .

How do you know that this particular Thai was involved in scamming foreigners?

she was interested in scamming someone or she would not have got involved,....i never said SHE was involved in scamming foreigners, but so many in phuket are .

[AdamRich]

The minimart owner was probably planning to scam the Africans by getting them to invest in Thailand.

LOL. Now wouldn't that be a b... Edited December 6, 2011 by AdamRich

[queanbeyan]

When non-Thais are scammed by Thais it seems that everyone is up in arms - but when a Thai gets duped it's a different story?? Som - na - nah - karma?? People get involved in things that they shouldn't each day - not because they are criminals or stupid - mostly because they are vulnerable and gullible - it can happen to anyone.

In Oz, many people receive phone calls from 'Windows help desk' claiming that their computers are infected with a virus and for a fee of $300 the help desk can fix it online - if you don't know much about computers it's easy to get fooled by that scam. My wife's friend got done - she isn't a criminal - just a mom with 3 kids with little IT knowledge.

A friend of mine who works in IT in BKK was scammed by Dr David - some guy she met on MSN who was investing in Thailand - she is not stupid - maybe a bit lonely - but not criminally involved.

I remember back in 1987 in Bangkok I was approached by some tall guy in mid 30s dressed in a boy scout uniform - i almost fell for his 'donation scam'. - I remember that I had been ill - and i think that he targeted me when I came out of a doctor's office. He didn't get a dime from me - just a warning that his health would be at risk if he didn't go elsewhere.

While it must be easier to get money from the greedy - isn't it that greed in some form that makes the economy work?

I feel for the woman and her family - her shame explaining the loss to the family would be huge.

Doug

[Billmont]

"...............they had a lot of euro banknotes that had been dyed and could be used as their investment capital for business in Thailand. However, they needed money to pay for chemicals to wash them first;........"

Now I understand what money laundering means.

The old ones are the best! Scams and Jokes!

[mrdome]

Wow talk about inflation. A couple of them same type of dudes tried that scam on me 8 years ago, then they wanted US$15,000 to buy the chemical from the US embassy lol. 6 days later they were both dead.

I'll be on my best behavior if we even run into each other...

[Oberkommando]

When non-Thais are scammed by Thais it seems that everyone is up in arms - but when a Thai gets duped it's a different story??

That in itself tells you a lot of how Thais are perceived, rightly or wrongly.

[GentlemanJim]

When non-Thais are scammed by Thais it seems that everyone is up in arms - but when a Thai gets duped it's a different story?? Som - na - nah - karma?? People get involved in things that they shouldn't each day - not because they are criminals or stupid - mostly because they are vulnerable and gullible - it can happen to anyone.

In Oz, many people receive phone calls from 'Windows help desk' claiming that their computers are infected with a virus and for a fee of $300 the help desk can fix it online - if you don't know much about computers it's easy to get fooled by that scam. My wife's friend got done - she isn't a criminal - just a mom with 3 kids with little IT knowledge.

A friend of mine who works in IT in BKK was scammed by Dr David - some guy she met on MSN who was investing in Thailand - she is not stupid - maybe a bit lonely - but not criminally involved.

I remember back in 1987 in Bangkok I was approached by some tall guy in mid 30s dressed in a boy scout uniform - i almost fell for his 'donation scam'. - I remember that I had been ill - and i think that he targeted me when I came out of a doctor's office. He didn't get a dime from me - just a warning that his health would be at risk if he didn't go elsewhere.

While it must be easier to get money from the greedy - isn't it that greed in some form that makes the economy work?

I feel for the woman and her family - her shame explaining the loss to the family would be huge.

Doug

Doug

You are completely wrong with your assumptions here. The simple fact of the matter is that the woman in question, regardless of nationality was willing to engage in what she would have known was a majorly illegal activity. She was willing to find and front up money that her family and business could ill afford so that she could make a quick killing by way of obtaining fraudulent funds. This case has no resemblance to the other scams you mention in which innocent people are duped. She deserves everything she gets. I am just amazed at the neck of going to the police to complain when she has clearly been involved in something illegal. Now being Thai will help her as she can claim the farangs told her anything. As for your boasting of telling someone that you thought may have been doing a donation scam that his health would be in danger if he didnt go elsewhere, that is just plain thugish Brits abroad behaviour, that is frankly disgusting.

[khaowong1]

5.3million? Must be more money in mini-marts than I realized.

[anterian]

The ability to get scammed is inversely proportional to one's familiarity with the internet. Actually the advanced fee fraud existed even before the Internet, it operated by snail mail. Then later by fax.

[RogueLeader]

When non-Thais are scammed by Thais it seems that everyone is up in arms - but when a Thai gets duped it's a different story?? Som - na - nah - karma?? People get involved in things that they shouldn't each day - not because they are criminals or stupid - mostly because they are vulnerable and gullible - it can happen to anyone.

In Oz, many people receive phone calls from 'Windows help desk' claiming that their computers are infected with a virus and for a fee of $300 the help desk can fix it online - if you don't know much about computers it's easy to get fooled by that scam. My wife's friend got done - she isn't a criminal - just a mom with 3 kids with little IT knowledge.

A friend of mine who works in IT in BKK was scammed by Dr David - some guy she met on MSN who was investing in Thailand - she is not stupid - maybe a bit lonely - but not criminally involved.

I remember back in 1987 in Bangkok I was approached by some tall guy in mid 30s dressed in a boy scout uniform - i almost fell for his 'donation scam'. - I remember that I had been ill - and i think that he targeted me when I came out of a doctor's office. He didn't get a dime from me - just a warning that his health would be at risk if he didn't go elsewhere.

While it must be easier to get money from the greedy - isn't it that greed in some form that makes the economy work?

I feel for the woman and her family - her shame explaining the loss to the family would be huge.

Doug

I'm glad someone said this. It is true that the most easily scammed are the greedy and the ignorant. While I was in Istanbul last year, I was approached by clip-joint scammers five times in a week. Luckily, I'd heard about this scam before and didn't fall for it and while I was in Sultanamhet I made sure to tell everyone I could about it. We laughed about it, wondering who falls for this sort of trick. Months later in Bangkok, I met a Belgian who'd been taken by the gem scam. Again, such an obviously risky venture, but it still makes money, as does the 'shoe shine' trick in India, the sealed box scam in London and Find The Lady in Barcelona and all over the world.

But we are all ignorant, by default. I was talking to a Norwegian about this over a game of chess in Mandalay and he passed over the book that he was reading. it was Murakami, and the passage he'd underlined was "

"Mightn't you have a fatal blind spot somewhere? "

Scammers prey on a wide range of human traits: greed, fear, compassion, boredom, snobbery dissatisfaction, sexual desire among them. We know about these scams and avoid them and we can ridicule those who do, but you don't know what's around the corner.

Mightn't you have a fatal blind spot?

[hehehoho]

How has that been altered? Are you actually claiming that formatting for emphasis is 'altering'?

Oh,. dear.

Yes, you need to read the forum rules again.

[metisdead]

A post has been edited as the quoted content had been altered by the use of bold font:

30) Do not modify someone else's post in your quoted reply, either with font or color changes, added emoticons, or altered wording.

If you need to emphasize some content, use the Insert quotation feature.

[cgphuket]

I agree with those who feel only the very greedy or very stupid get scammed in Thailand. The criminals are so stupid and obvious here that to fall for them one must be truly "dim". As for anyone going into a business venture with an African; 555555555555!! I have never met an African in Thailand that wasn't a criminal..

[RichardinBKK]

Thank you TV...true to course, as always.

About 95% of these comments blame the Thai...

Simply amazing. So, if jet Ski operators scam foreigners...bad, bad, bad Thai

(Why don't you laugh at those idiot tourists for falling for the oldest scam of all time?)

And if a Thai GETS scammed...bad, bad, bad Thai

(yes, silly woman trusted a foreigner, what WAS she thinking? I mean, we all know how those foreigners are...right?)

At least you are consistent in your disdain for the country you are a guest in. As my wife says, "we invite the foreigner to our home, and they $--t on the roof."

[hehehoho]

Simply amazing. So, if jet Ski operators scam foreigners...bad, bad, bad Thai

(Why don't you laugh at those idiot tourists for falling for the oldest scam of all time?)

Did those tourists rent the jetskis with a view to stealing it, or somehow making money via a dodgy deal?

[RichardinBKK]

Simply amazing. So, if jet Ski operators scam foreigners...bad, bad, bad Thai

(Why don't you laugh at those idiot tourists for falling for the oldest scam of all time?)

Did those tourists rent the jetskis with a view to stealing it, or somehow making money via a dodgy deal?

You know, I read your reply, and do see your point. There is a difference. I think that just as TV folks are hard wired to find all things Thai bad, I tend to go too far in the other direction some times. Your point does have value. Thanks...

[nikster]

Seems she was greedy and wanted some of that "Free" money from a robbery.

Exactly.

Som nam naa!

[nikster]

Mightn't you have a fatal blind spot?

While this is all fine and true, there's a limit. My feeling sorry is very limited if the victim is trying to take advantage of some stolen money. It's both greedy and stupid. Hence, som nam naa is appropriate in this situation.

An anti virus scam is a different story as the victim is neither greedy nor stupid. In that case, all my sympathy for the victim. Same with the gems scam...

If you follow the simple rule to not give strangers money, you'll be immune to all forms of scams

Anyone experienced the "Casino scam" in KL?

I was in KL and a bit bored waiting for my visa when I was approached by a middle aged lady and her young ... semi-pretty I have to say - "niece". They invited me to their home for lunch, so I thought hey why not, could be fun. Little did I know... once there we met her husband Jerry who mentioned he's working in a Casino. He also said I should come by the Casino he'd help me win and we'd then split the winnings 50/50. I politely said "sure" but had no such intention. Then things turned weird... Jerry got a call, apparently a "high roller" who needed to play RIGHT THIS MOMENT. 5 minutes later he arrived at the house, a table was set up, and I was instructed to "help" the young lady trick the high roller by cheating. Jerry would tell us what cards the guest had with finger signals... it was either poker or blackjack, can't remember.

I was thinking <deleted> but also realized I had to kind of play along given that I had no idea where we were or how to get out of there. Or how many other guys there were other than Jerry, the high roller, and the driver. I played really dumb and didn't "get" any of the cheating hints... hahaha... the young lady and jerry tricked the high roller a few times... then they asked me to lend them some money just for a moment. They'd win it back by cheating, as had already been established. It was a sure bet!

I said I had no cash on me... then they drove me back to the city. Phew! Was certainly an interesting experience... the girl even apologized for wasting my time 555

Edited December 8, 2011 by nikster

[BabySun]

Amazing to think there are still people falling for the old wash-wash scam.

Most of the serious scammers moved on a long time ago into romance scamming, lottery scams, check scams, rental scams and so on.

http://scamwarners.com/

Why you think it was not romance scamming?most likely it was;look on age difference!She got what she desired and had lost her mind in the process.It works well on us - farangs,it works on Thai biz women as well.

[RogueLeader]

Mightn't you have a fatal blind spot?

While this is all fine and true, there's a limit. My feeling sorry is very limited if the victim is trying to take advantage of some stolen money. It's both greedy and stupid. Hence, som nam naa is appropriate in this situation.

Absolutely.

An anti virus scam is a different story as the victim is neither greedy nor stupid. In that case, all my sympathy for the victim. Same with the gems scam...

No but they are ignorant, because anyone with the slightest hint of knowledge about networking and user account control, and who could ask the right questions, would know that their claims were impossible. The ignorance is understandable because very few people do know about these things, but all ignorance is understandable because it's the default position of any given human.

[KKvampire]

Oh Thai Cheat Whore runs to Police when she isn't making enough money out of a scam

[RogueLeader]

Oh Thai Cheat Whore runs to Police when she isn't making enough money out of a scam

And description of sexual acts isn't OK but this sort of thing is?

I'm learning as I go here...