Thai police arrested two Nigerian men and a Thai woman in Phuket’s Thalang district for their alleged involvement in a romance scam.
The arrest took place during a raid on a house in the Phatcharee Thalang housing estate on Thursday night, February 8, 2024. The 32-year-old Thai woman, Kanyathanat Thotsatham, and the Nigerian nationals, whose names were not disclosed, were taken into custody.
During the raid, authorities seized 50 sachets of cocaine and a digital balance from the residence.
Ms. Kanyathanat was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Samut Prakan Provincial Court for public fraud and inputting false information into a computer system.
The two Nigerian men were found to have overstayed their visas for 1,401 days and 1,728 days, respectively.
According to Pol Lt Col Pitthaya Thepmuang, inspector of the Tourist Police Sub-Division 3, investigations revealed that the suspects were part of a romance scam gang operating through fake Facebook accounts. The gang deceived people in Thailand into transferring money.
Kanyathanat was allegedly tasked with withdrawing and transferring money to the bank accounts of a Nigerian gang leader living abroad.
During questioning, the Nigerian men confessed to their involvement in the romance scam and admitted to selling cocaine to foreign tourists in Phuket to earn extra income.
All suspects were handed over to police at Thalang station for legal proceedings.
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