Thai Authorities Dismantle International Romance Scam Network
In a significant crackdown on transnational cybercrime, immigration and police operatives in Thailand have successfully dismantled a suspected international romance scam syndicate. The operation resulted in the arrest of thirteen foreign nationals, with eleven of those detained being Nigerian men. The remaining two individuals are Ivorian nationals, highlighting the cross-border nature of the criminal enterprise.
Coordinated Raid Leads to Multiple Arrests
The arrests were executed on Monday, January 22, 2026, at an accommodation building located in the Muang Thong Thani area of Nonthaburi province. Authorities launched the raid at approximately 1:00 PM, forcing simultaneous entry into multiple rooms while the suspects were caught off guard. Some suspects attempted to flee barefoot but were unsuccessful in evading capture. During the operation, officers discovered several individuals actively engaged in online conversations with potential victims, underscoring the ongoing nature of their fraudulent activities.
Victim's Complaint Triggers Investigation
The investigation was initiated following a complaint filed by a Thai woman with the Mueang Nong Khai Police Station in late 2025. The victim reported that she had transferred over 2 million baht to four mule bank accounts controlled by foreign scammers. According to her statement, the suspect created a deceptive online persona, posing as a Chinese engineer, and first contacted her through Facebook. Their communication later shifted to the LINE messaging application, where they developed what she believed was a genuine romantic relationship.
The fraudulent engineer frequently sent photographs of construction sites, falsely claiming they were locations where he was working. After gaining her trust, he informed the victim that he planned to operate a large construction project and requested a loan, promising swift repayment. Unfortunately, the victim never received any money back, leading her to seek police assistance.
Sophisticated Scam Operation Uncovered
Police investigations revealed that the scammer was part of an organized romance scam gang operating from the Muang Thong Thani area. Further scrutiny uncovered that gang members were residing in separate rooms within the same accommodation building in the Pak Kret district. The syndicate employed a highly structured approach, with each member assigned specific roles. The group was divided into teams responsible for various functions, including contacting victims, locating mule bank accounts, and managing money laundering operations.
During searches of the premises, authorities seized four computers and twenty-nine mobile phones. Examination of the devices revealed that the scammers created fake profiles using identities from various Asian and European nationalities to deceive victims. Some gang members were dating Thai women and utilized their bank accounts as mule accounts to facilitate the fraud. Funds obtained from victims were reportedly converted into cryptocurrency before being transferred to bank accounts in Nigeria, complicating traceability.
Legal and Immigration Violations
Most of the arrested individuals were found to have overstayed their visas, with five of the Nigerian suspects confirmed to have entered Thailand illegally. This adds a layer of immigration offenses to their criminal charges. According to reports from the Thai news agency Ejan, the gang was living a luxurious lifestyle in Thailand, with photographic evidence showing members enjoying luxury cruise trips within the country.
This case underscores the global reach of romance scams and the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online relationships and financial transactions with unverified individuals.
