Romance scams have become a significant concern in Thailand over the past 5 years. While these scams happen the world over, unsuspecting Thai women have become a lucrative target through online platforms.
These scams involve perpetrators posing as affluent foreigners seeking romantic relationships, using fraudulent profiles to deceive and exploit victims emotionally and financially.
In this article, I'll break down how these scams operate, the role of Thai nationals in laundering money, and how to prevent yourself and others you care about from falling victim.
How Do Romance Scams Work in Thailand?
Romance scams in Thailand are synonymous with Nigerian crime networks, who create fake online identities, often using stolen or fabricated images of attractive Western men to lure their victims.
A typical profile might depict a good-looking pilot, a man in the armed forces, or a wealthy international businessman.
These fake profiles are then used to approach unsuspecting Thai women, usually on Facebook and Instagram, engaging in what seems like a genuine, romantic interest.
The scammers invest time in building trust with their victims, often over weeks or even months, and create an emotional connection through constant communication via social media platforms. And then, when they have the victim's contact details, via messaging apps for a more personal connection.
As the relationship deepens and trust is secured, the scammer will invent a crisis — such as a medical emergency or financial issue — that requires immediate financial help.
The victim is convinced to send money, which may begin as a small request but will escalate to larger values over time. The scammer may employ various strategies, including feigned family emergencies, business investments, or even requests for travel expenses.
The scam rarely stops at one or even two requests for money. Once the victim sends money, the scammer will usually request more funds under different pretenses, only disappearing entirely after receiving a substantial sum or arousing suspicion.
The Role of Thai Nationals and “Horse Accounts
In many cases, these scams are not just operated by foreign nationals but involve local Thai individuals who assist in moving the illicit funds.
These accomplices help by opening bank accounts in Thailand using fake, stolen, or hired Thai identification cards. These accounts are known as “horse accounts,” which are used to launder money by funneling it through various transactions.
These accounts act as intermediaries, receiving funds from victims and transferring them to the scammers, making it harder for authorities to trace the illicit financial activities.
In a recent case in Bangkok, a Nigerian man and 13 Thais were arrested for siphoning about 800 million Baht out of Thailand over a span of three years. During the raid, authorities seized 20 bank account books, a mutual fund book, 21 mobile phones, two computers, and five sets of overseas money transfers (source).
This bust demonstrates the extent of local cooperation in facilitating these scams, with Thai nationals often assisting to obscure the identities of the Nigerian ringleaders and making it harder for authorities to track the funds.
Signs to Watch Out For
While these scams are run by a sophisticated network of criminals, there are clear signs that can help you avoid falling victim:
1. Rapid Expressions of Affection
If someone you’ve recently met online professes love or deep emotional attachment very quickly, be wary. Scammers often move fast to create a sense of urgency and emotional dependency.
2. Money Requests
The most significant red flag is when an online acquaintance starts asking for money. These requests often come under the guise of emergencies like medical needs, accidents, or financial problems. A legitimate person would not ask for money so soon in a relationship, especially if they have never met in person.
3. Reluctance to Meet in Person
Scammers will frequently make excuses to avoid face-to-face meetings or video calls. If the person is constantly avoiding these interactions, it could be a sign that they are not who they say they are.
4. Inconsistent or Stolen Photos
Scammers often use images that do not belong to them. To check if the images on a person's profile are fake, you can perform a reverse image search (using tools like Google Images) to see if the pictures appear elsewhere on the internet, which can help uncover fraudulent activity.
5. Pressure to Send Money Quickly
Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency, claiming they need money immediately for travel, medical treatment, or other reasons. They may even send fake documents to reinforce their story.
What to Do If You’re Targeted
While Nigerian scammers in Thailand primarily target Thai women, there is growing evidence that these criminals also exploit their operations to target foreign women residing outside of Thailand. Men may also be targeted by scammers posing as women.
Operating from within Thailand, they exploit the anonymity and technological reach afforded by the internet, making it easy to lure victims across borders.
If you suspect that you are being targeted by a romance scam, it’s essential to take action quickly:
- Stop all communication with the scammer immediately.
- Do not send money, no matter how convincing the story may seem.
- Report the incident to local authorities or your country's embassy if you believe you are a victim of fraud.
- If the scam involves a bank account or money transfer, contact your bank or payment provider to alert them about the
- fraudulent transaction.
- Educate yourself and others about romance scams.
Awareness is the first line of defense.