A Pakistani family was arrested Tuesday in Pattaya for allegedly using an elaborate scam to rob an Indonesian tourist.
Plainclothes Tourism Division police raided a room at the P.K. Resort in Jomtien beach in Chon Buri province around 2am today, taking into custody the five family members: Adil Hueeani, 38, his wife Surayya, 41, and three teen children. Seized from them were four mobile phones, a notebook computer and some US currency.
Pol Maj Piyapong Ansan, who led the raid, said the arrest followed a complaint by Willy Liw, 26, that a Pakistani family had swindled money from him.
According to the complaint, the gang had approached the victim in a friendly manner. Mr Hueeani then asked the victim about his country and showed interest in bringing his family to visit there.
During the conservation, Mr Hueeani allegedly told the victim he wanted to take a look at Indonesian currency. Mr Liw pulled some from his bag to show. The other family members then distracted Mr Liw by talking with him. As they did so, Mr Hueeani allegedly took US banknotes from the victim's wallet.
After the family left, the Indonesian tourist told police that his US currency had gone missing.
Pol Maj Siripong said tourism police immediately launched an investigation and concluded that the Pakistani family had committed the theft as alleged. Officers tracked the suspects to the hotel where they were caught.
He added there have been complaints about a Pakistani family employing the same tactics to prey on foreign tourists in Phuket. Police planned to check with Phuket authorities to monitor Pakistani gangs.