ianf Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I am doing some research on farang conmen in Chiang Mai. We all know that Pattaya is a dangerous place for this kind of activity but how about our city? Any thoughts about this? Have you been a victim or know of someone who has? I hope the mods are OK with this thread because it may save some people being damaged by these rascals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tywais Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 The topic is fine as long as no names are presented due to the forum rules on Libel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjhbigv Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 The topic is fine as long as no names are presented due to the forum rules on Libel. I think the OP is looking to name and shame! Maybe, posters could detail any scams they have come across, committed by farangs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard10365 Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I don't know of any farang con men...but...you should include all foreigners....western and Asian. There are many here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HughJass Posted May 19, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted May 19, 2012 (edited) theres a lot of them on the classifieds trying to sell overpriced vehicles by the way does anybody want to buy my 1991 Toyota for 360,000 baht....one careful owner and 17 that didnt give a toss Edited May 19, 2012 by HughJass 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarangBha Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 There is a group of westerners in and out of one of the Hillside buildings, can often be seen having a smoke-o. Always well-ish dressed, but on the cheap (slacks, polos, mis-matching shirts-ties, etc). Anyway, there's a few trading houses in there, but the ones viewable to the public aren't farang staffed. Poker game perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackArtemis Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 And here I was thinking you meant "Farang khon men" and were going to discuss the need of backpackers to use deodorant. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Loaded Posted May 19, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted May 19, 2012 I see quite a few old farang men who have conned themselves into believing they are young again. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amexpat Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I see quite a few old farang men who have conned themselves into believing they are young again. Good for them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianf Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 I see quite a few old farang men who have conned themselves into believing they are young again. Good for them! If the OP wanted to name and shame, he is unable to do so on Thai Visa. But there are a few trying to scam people with business ideas here in Chiang Mai. Or put their girl friends/wives in a position that the female will take the rap if there's a fallout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semper Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 I have seen several driving around withot using helmets! Lock 'em up I say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 There is a group of westerners in and out of one of the Hillside buildings, can often be seen having a smoke-o. Always well-ish dressed, but on the cheap (slacks, polos, mis-matching shirts-ties, etc). Anyway, there's a few trading houses in there, but the ones viewable to the public aren't farang staffed. Poker game perhaps? There is one guy with a filipino girlfriend who I always use to see approaching new looking tourists outside kad suan kaew. Not sure what he's upto but he's got a mate who always wears a Chelsea hat and it is a gut feeling but growing up in East London you do get a sixth sense about some people from London Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hml367 Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 What is the research for? MSPain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyecatcher Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 (edited) Only last week saw a couple of sikhs two doors down from me;- dressed "pretty dapper" thought ey up not another tailors about the open. They then came to me and were all "pally" first talking in thai to Mrs E then in English to me. Started telling me that i had just had an unlucky year; to which i said no, i have had my best year actually.......then said something to the effect that i was going to have great fortune; i said show me where to dig pal. then he just asked to see my hand to confirm everything.......at that point I said heres my hand now thankyou and goodbye. I didnt let it get as far as him wanting money for some palm reading but odds on that was the game. they then went from business to business along the road. Plausible-absolutely not attire- superb were they con men or genuine (work permitted) freelance mediums Edited May 21, 2012 by Tywais Racial slur removed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyecatcher Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 There is a group of westerners in and out of one of the Hillside buildings, can often be seen having a smoke-o. Always well-ish dressed, but on the cheap (slacks, polos, mis-matching shirts-ties, etc). Anyway, there's a few trading houses in there, but the ones viewable to the public aren't farang staffed. Poker game perhaps? There is one guy with a filipino girlfriend who I always use to see approaching new looking tourists outside kad suan kaew. Not sure what he's upto but he's got a mate who always wears a Chelsea hat and it is a gut feeling but growing up in East London you do get a sixth sense about some people from London Thats sounds like possible pimping or drugs related to me. anyway, now you have alerted everyone to be on the lookout for a Chelsea cap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaimiller Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Only last week saw a couple of towel heads (sikhs) two doors down from me;- dressed "pretty dapper" thought ey up not another tailors about the open. They then came to me and were all "pally" first talking in thai to Mrs E then in English to me. Started telling me that i had just had an unlucky year; to which i said no, i have had my best year actually.......then said something to the effect that i was going to have great fortune; i said show me where to dig pal. then he just asked to see my hand to confirm everything.......at that point I said heres my hand now thankyou and goodbye. I didnt let it get as far as him wanting money for some palm reading but odds on that was the game. they then went from business to business along the road. Plausible-absolutely not attire- superb were they con men or genuine (work permitted) freelance mediums This happens alot in BKK, you walk down the road and the Pullstart says " you are a very lucky man" and then tries to start his babble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binjalin Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 some estate agents? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orientalist Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 (edited) They do a few tricks and then hassle you for money. They are all over Bangkok and apparently tourist areas in other towns. See Bangkok Scams or just Google "you are a lucky man thailand". Some victims claim they felt like they were hypnotized when they were escorted to an ATM to withdraw money. Edited May 20, 2012 by orientalist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillside4Phil Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 The Westerner's that used to be at one of the Hillside buildings, were part of the Time Share Holiday group they were in my building 4 but the office was cleared out ages ago, do not know if they are back again. There is an old bloke that hangs out at John's Place he is an Aussie and actually it turns out that I used to throw stones at his home when I was a young bloke, once he knew how much I did know about him, then he proceeded to go on about a resort he has and wants a 4 stroke outboard motor for his boat and would like someone to get in Australia then send to him. After a while one of the girl's at John's grabbed my drink then took it to another part of the bar and said it would be better that I move away from him. I forget his name but when I came home I spoke with a mate and he said that this guy is a real con man and some of the things he did here in Australia, no wonder he is hidding in Thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMavec Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Only last week saw a couple of towel heads (sikhs) two doors down from me;- dressed "pretty dapper" thought ey up not another tailors about the open. They then came to me and were all "pally" first talking in thai to Mrs E then in English to me. Started telling me that i had just had an unlucky year; to which i said no, i have had my best year actually.......then said something to the effect that i was going to have great fortune; i said show me where to dig pal. then he just asked to see my hand to confirm everything.......at that point I said heres my hand now thankyou and goodbye. I didnt let it get as far as him wanting money for some palm reading but odds on that was the game. they then went from business to business along the road. Plausible-absolutely not attire- superb were they con men or genuine (work permitted) freelance mediums These people I have encountered on Kaoh San Road in Bangkok too. They try to make it like they have some magical fortune telling powers, using all these psychology techniques, all in the name of getting significant sums of money off of you to share their powers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post eyecatcher Posted May 20, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted May 20, 2012 They do a few tricks and then hassle you for money. They are all over Bangkok and apparently tourist areas in other towns. See Bangkok Scams or just Google "you are a lucky man thailand". Some victims claim they felt like they were hypnotized when they were escorted to an ATM to withdraw money. Guys DO NOT google "you are a lucky man Thailand" I have been completely distracted for the last hour and now need to delete browsing history 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
65Craig Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 I was outside Computer Plaza (on the main road) today waiting for a friend to show up so we could go to Fitness Thailand. Anyway, a guy rides up to me on his motorbike asking if I'm from England (has a thick British accent). I say "No, I'm from America so I speak English". He then asked if I was a tourist, which I thought was odd. I told him I was here for a few months, but didn't elaborate. Anyway, he went on a big spiel about how he was at a Disco last night and lost his wallet with all his money and credit cards. He told me he needed to urgently call England and cancel the credit cards and get some money sent here. I stopped him and said: "What do you want?" He said 500 baht so he could make an overseas call. He tried to say I could hold his mobile phone (showed it to me and it was one that was like 10 years old and hardly worth anything). I said, "Sorry" and turned to see if my friend was coming. Just then he said: "____ OFF!" I immediately turned around and said, "What?" I was pissed and started to walk towards him to confront him, and he took off scared on his motorbike. I know this goes on everywhere, but I'm sure it's a total scam. I mean, if I were to lose my wallet with money and credit card, would a reasonable person go off on a motorbike and ask complete strangers for money? No way. Seriously, if it really was the case the guy could have: Turned in his motorbike and got his deposit back. Go back to his hotel and make a call from there. I mean he "supposedly" had credit cards (therefore attainable money). Plus, it's a free call on places through services like Skype to make a toll free call to a banking center customer service line. Anyway, I'm sure there are suckers out there who would give the guy a 100 baht or so, and I'm sure if he did it enough, he'd probably make out quite well if he focused on some naive tourists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binjalin Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 I was outside Computer Plaza (on the main road) today waiting for a friend to show up so we could go to Fitness Thailand. Anyway, a guy rides up to me on his motorbike asking if I'm from England (has a thick British accent). I say "No, I'm from America so I speak English". He then asked if I was a tourist, which I thought was odd. I told him I was here for a few months, but didn't elaborate. Anyway, he went on a big spiel about how he was at a Disco last night and lost his wallet with all his money and credit cards. He told me he needed to urgently call England and cancel the credit cards and get some money sent here. I stopped him and said: "What do you want?" He said 500 baht so he could make an overseas call. He tried to say I could hold his mobile phone (showed it to me and it was one that was like 10 years old and hardly worth anything). I said, "Sorry" and turned to see if my friend was coming. Just then he said: "____ OFF!" I immediately turned around and said, "What?" I was pissed and started to walk towards him to confront him, and he took off scared on his motorbike. I know this goes on everywhere, but I'm sure it's a total scam. I mean, if I were to lose my wallet with money and credit card, would a reasonable person go off on a motorbike and ask complete strangers for money? No way. Seriously, if it really was the case the guy could have: Turned in his motorbike and got his deposit back. Go back to his hotel and make a call from there. I mean he "supposedly" had credit cards (therefore attainable money). Plus, it's a free call on places through services like Skype to make a toll free call to a banking center customer service line. Anyway, I'm sure there are suckers out there who would give the guy a 100 baht or so, and I'm sure if he did it enough, he'd probably make out quite well if he focused on some naive tourists. quite - and taking your CCs to a Disco (any Disco) is utter stupidity but I doubt he was genuine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses G. Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 There is an old bloke that hangs out at John's Place he is an Aussie and actually it turns out that I used to throw stones at his home when I was a young bloke, once he knew how much I did know about him, then he proceeded to go on about a resort he has Would this be the fellow that used to own the Overlander bar before it turned into Mad Dog Pizza? I know that he bought a local resort a few years ago and was wondering if he was still around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saakura Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 A few weeks back I was having lunch at Mrs.Balbir's restaurant in Sukhumvit Soi 13 and observed 2 Sikhs bringing a western tourist (assumption) into the outdoor dining area of Dosa King on the opposite side. They were talking non-stop, fast and excitedly, without a pause and wild gestures. I tried to pass close to them while leaving. They were looking at his palms and he looked hypnotized or mesmerized. I took down the restaurant phone number and called the manager to report it as I walked to my car parked down the Soi. When I exited, they were still there with him. They do a few tricks and then hassle you for money. They are all over Bangkok and apparently tourist areas in other towns. See Bangkok Scams or just Google "you are a lucky man thailand". Some victims claim they felt like they were hypnotized when they were escorted to an ATM to withdraw money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillside4Phil Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 at Ulysses G, I do forget his name but is face is very maketed and he is very recognisible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 anyone remember that story of the filipino guy in Bkk who use to con westerners, cant remember the exact details but it was scary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrclough Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Apparently, there seems to be a few young ladies in the Loy Kroh area trying to convince tourists and others that they need money to send to their homes. Something to do with sick buffalo's or sick mothers or something. I'm not quite sure how it works but I'm informed the techniques they use are very skilful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post worgeordie Posted May 21, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted May 21, 2012 When any shady character approaches me with the line, Where you from,? I reply Umbeckistani that usually stops them in there tracks ,if they do get to the next question, What do you do? I say I am a conman, What do you ?, I think its better than just telling them to F#$@ off Regards Worgeordie, PS I am not really a conman !!! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uptheos Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Apparently, there seems to be a few young ladies in the Loy Kroh area trying to convince tourists and others that they need money to send to their homes. Something to do with sick buffalo's or sick mothers or something. I'm not quite sure how it works but I'm informed the techniques they use are very skilful. Skilful indeed, considering they can't actually see the person's brains between his legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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