Online Furby scam suspect arrested

Online Furby scam suspect arrested

Police have arrested a woman accused of running an online scam selling the cute, furry Furby robotic toys and making off with several million baht.

After many buyers of Furby filed complaints with the Crime Suppression Division on Thursday, police on Friday arrested Chonnikant Taichilasasoontorn, who had used a 16-year-old girl to post adverts on Instagram offering the toys for 2,990 baht each.

At least 44 buyers ordered toys through the girl, many placing bulk orders. Buyers reported placing orders totalling more than four million baht.

None of the toys were delivered. 

Ms Chonnikant, 27, was questioned by police on Thursday. They concluded that she is an accomplice in the scam. She denied running the scheme as the money had been transferred to the "real seller" who is said to be a model named Natt.

The Criminal Court also approved a warrant for the arrest of Kanchana Jabang, another person who has received money via the girl.

Police said they expect more disappointed buyers will file complaints, so the total amount involved would probably be higher.

Nantawan Wangsantiporn, manager at Map Active (Thailand), the legitimate Furby distributor in Thailand, said the company will file compliants against people who bring the toy into Thailand in large quantities for sale.

Tassanee Nanudon of the Consumer Protection Foundation predicted a rising trend in online scams. She said the foundation had received more than 20 cases related to online cheating since the beginning of 2013.

She said consumers should keep all documents and messages related to their online purchases as evidence in case it was needed.


Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT