Lite Beer Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Police Arrest 21 People Over Long-Running BKK Gem ScamBy Khaosod Eng. A police press conference on the arrests of store managers and tuk-tuk drivers who have scammed foreign tourists, 3 July 2015. BANGKOK — Police say they have raided several jewelry stores and arrested 21 people in connection with a notorious tourist scam in Bangkok.According to Pol.Lt.Gen. Thitirat Nonghanpitak, commander of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), police officers with search warrants raided three gem stores in Dusit district earlier this week and confiscated their financial documents for investigation.The long-running hoax involves tuk-tuk drivers telling foreign tourists that famous attractions, such the Grand Palace, are “closed,” and then offering the tourists discounted rides around the city.Those who fall for the con are then ferried to jewelry stores where they are sold poor-quality gemstones at exuberant prices."When the tourists try to refund the goods, their requests are denied," said Pol.Lt.Gen. Thitrat Read More: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1435984771 -- Khaosod English 2015-07-04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Somtamnication Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Only 21? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIJoe Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I thought 'exuberant' meant they were happy with the prices! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worgeordie Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Operation tourist scam 1, cannot wait for 2.3,4 .........100 regards Worgeordie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokyoblond Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 (edited) Exuberant prices, eh? how exciting.... Oops! RIJoe... you beat me to it! 555! Edited July 4, 2015 by tokyoblond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petedk Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 That has taken quite a few years to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halloween Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 First time I came here, around 20 years ago, was an Amex Travel package with free guided tour included, which ended up in a jewellery factory where we were assured the price and quality were exceptional. Yeah right, that's why the want you on your first full day. For me it was straight walk through and wait in the courtyard where I found something really interesting. The guards were toting what looked like an M-16 on steroids, which turned out to be auto shotguns. Not sure it was a scam, but it certainly smelled like one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireMedic Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 We will get a follow up report that all Gem Scams have been dealt with and tourists can be assured there are no more gem scams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotpoom Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I thought 'exuberant' meant they were happy with the prices! They were very happy with the price when they bought them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickymaster Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 (edited) Amazing how many criminals have been arrested since the coup. It seems that the Thaksin days (do whatever you want as long as I get my billions) are finally coming to an end. Edited July 4, 2015 by Nickymaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezdusit Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I am guessing that the busted merchants refused to pay a rate hike in the bribes that are involved in such operations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombat Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 New boys on the block? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asdecas Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 If you believe these raids are anything other than cosmetic, you really are welcome to Thailand. They have been going on since the scams began, which in themselves were thought up by the Thai cousin of Noah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upena Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Any of the sleazeballs at the Grand Palace arrested? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26vinny Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 RTP and BIB not getting tea money, only reason this has happened, long standing scam says it all we knew about it but like all the scams here ignored it typical thai way, hear no evil see no evil speak no evil, untill the money runs out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanlic Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 That has taken quite a few years to do. The thing is what exactly can they charge a jewelry store with? If you buy what they are selling then too bad no one is putting a gun to your head. Villa Supermarket charge more for most items than Foodland........Should they arrest the owner of Villa Supermarket? As much as you may like them to I think not. All they can do is fine the tuk tuk drivers and spend a lot of time and money making sure they don't come back which simply is not feasible hence it will continue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F4UCorsair Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 (edited) So soon.....this scam was operating when I first visited Bangkok in 1980!! And probably at the same 'exuberant' prices! Edited July 4, 2015 by F4UCorsair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgordo38 Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Only 21? These are the ones that fell behind in their payments. It also eliminated the competition for the ones that were and created a photo op for the BIB. Everybody wins well no 1 side looses. But they could be on the winning side in the future if they mind their P's and Q's and $ sorry baht payments. The BIB is like a bank make your payment on time or we foreclose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudcrab Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 (edited) That has taken quite a few years to do. The thing is what exactly can they charge a jewelry store with? If you buy what they are selling then too bad no one is putting a gun to your head. Villa Supermarket charge more for most items than Foodland........Should they arrest the owner of Villa Supermarket? As much as you may like them to I think not. All they can do is fine the tuk tuk drivers and spend a lot of time and money making sure they don't come back which simply is not feasible hence it will continue The managers of the three gem stores have been charged with violating Thailand’s consumer protection law for inaccurate description of goods, and 21 tuk-tuk drivers have been arrested and charged with illegal parking and causing nuisance Ladyboys next?? Edited July 4, 2015 by Mudcrab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNXTim Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Tuk tuk bites tourist, NO story. Tourist bites tuk tuk,now that is news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeyrobot Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 You think with the web the way it is people still fall for this, why don't they list the top 5 scams and leave a copy in every hotel room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MockingJay Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 This scam is going on for at least 25 years and NOW all of a sudden they make arrests? Someone forgot to grease the gear? RTP not getting enough commission? What happened? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallGuyJohninBKK Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Be interesting to know just who they arrested... According to prior posters here, there was involvement of the Tourist Police in all this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MockingJay Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I am shocked by the way about the "hefty" charges put against the store owners - certainly they will stop all the illegal activity altogether now and hide back at home all tears and shiver... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerry123 Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I thought 'exuberant' meant they were happy with the prices! GET OVER IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MockingJay Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 You think with the web the way it is people still fall for this, why don't they list the top 5 scams and leave a copy in every hotel room. Great suggestion, but it takes a "stupid farang" to come up with that, as the average Thai's way of thinking is much too elevated to descent into such low spheres... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Grumpy Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Amazing how many criminals have been arrested since the coup. It seems that the Thaksin days (do whatever you want as long as I get my billions) are finally coming to an end. Cute post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKnave Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 You think with the web the way it is people still fall for this, why don't they list the top 5 scams and leave a copy in every hotel room. Because that might be effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonefish Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 the 2 officers in the pic have prob been part of it for 20 years,banked millions of baht and have now organised their demize to save their own asses before the military comes down on them !!! look how honest the dude with the mic looks !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuchulainn Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 After how many years decades? Oh well, as long as they are SEEN to be doing something, I suppose it'll do!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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