We Uncover A Possible Scam Which Is Costing Tourists Up To 50,000 Baht.

[britmaveric]

We uncover a possible scam which is costing Tourists up to 50,000 Baht.

Pattaya City News has received information of a possible scam involving rented motorbikes which we feel we must bring to your attention. We must stress that we have no hard evidence that the scam is taking place and we are basing this report on anonymous accounts from foreigners. This is how the scam works.

A foreigner will rent a motorbike and will sign a contract. He or she will park the bike outside of their hotel over night and the next day the bike is gone. They contact the rental company who inform them that they must make a report of the theft at the Police Station. This is then followed by a demand for money to cover the cost of the bike from the rental company.

In the cases we have heard about, tourists have been forced to hand over between 40,000 and 50,000 Baht otherwise the company will pursue the case with the Police. We are sure that most bike rental companies who operate here in Pattaya are honest and law-abiding and this relates to only a small number of dishonest bike renters.

In each case that we have heard about, the bike does not possess any form of insurance and the contract contains a clause that the hirer is liable for all costs in case of damage or theft. After the case has been cleared, the bike will be mysteriously returned to the rental company and the money paid by the foreign tourist is not returned. To avoid this happening to you, we would like to suggest the following:

- Only rent from reputable companies.

- Ensure that the motorbike is correctly insured to cover damages and theft.

- Check the contract for small clauses which could leave you liable for all costs relating to damage and theft by third parties.

- Finally, if in doubt, do not rent the bike and try another company.

If you feel you have become a victim of such a scam, please contact the Tourist Police on 1155.

-Pattaya City News

Tuesday 18th April 2006

[Noel]

We uncover a possible scam which is costing Tourists up to 50,000 Baht.

Pattaya City News has received information of a possible scam involving rented motorbikes which we feel we must bring to your attention.

-Pattaya City News

Tuesday 18th April 2006

Jesus wept, that scam has been going on for years.

What a scoop!

[Sir Burr]

Jesus wept, that scam has been going on for years.

What a scoop!

You beat me to it. I know that this scam has been around since the eighties; thought it was common knowledge.

PCN, what a bunch of amateurs!

[britmaveric]

Perhaps the Jet Ski scam will be reported next as breaking news???

[OneeyedJohn]

well yes that is old hat, but howabout the farang english teacher in BKK

overheard teaching his class such phrases as :-

My mother need go hospital...

My brother have accident on motorbike ..need repair

I want concrete house

The buffalo is sick (sic)

cant remeber anymore for now but what a sad trend. Mebbe this is in wrong forum ...apologies.

[Artisan]

Pattaya City News has received information of a possible scam involving rented motorbikes which we feel we must bring to your attention. We must stress that we have no hard evidence that the scam is taking place and we are basing this report on anonymous accounts from foreigners. This is how the scam works.

-Pattaya City News

Tuesday 18th April 2006

Well, we have to hand it to PCN again people.....another exclusive I guess. Their reporters are on the ball and always first there when news breaks.

[Pattaya_Fox]

Yes a very old scam......on the other hand I suppose that it does no harm to warn people every now and again to be on their guard.

[Wanraya]

Very easy to prevent though - give them the name of another hotel not your own when you rent the bike.

[Mighty Mouse]

It must be a slow news week at Pattaya City News or perhaps it was the first assignment for their new cub reporter.

Renting a motor bike from an unknown vendor has always been a risk for the renter. I'm not suggesting that all vendors are unscrupulous, but it pays for first time tourists to ask a lot of questions before selecting a particular vendor.

It also pays to provide your own heavy chain and padlock, and when parking, to chain the bike to an unmovable object........preferably not a sleeping cop.

[LaoPo]

It also pays to provide your own heavy chain and padlock, and when parking, to chain the bike to an unmovable object........preferably not a sleeping cop.

hmmm...know what you mean...

this guy?

LaoPo

[h90]

It also pays to provide your own heavy chain and padlock, and when parking, to chain the bike to an unmovable object........preferably not a sleeping cop.

or take the motorbike with you in the hotel room, if your mrs is like mine (avoiding to walk at all costs) she will be gradefull if she can take the motorbike from watching TV to the toilett and back....

[HarryHacker]

…just a thought, why don’t the PNC/TPV crew set up a sting operation?

Maybe then they would gain some respect from the cynics amongst us.

[Scott]

Since a fair number of people are tourists and not old Pattaya hands, these stories need to be circulated occasionally for the newcomers. Maybe just not headlining it in such a way as to make people think it's a really"new" story.