The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) has arrested a man who swindled at least four million baht from 10 women by charming them at an online dating website.
Photo by Post Today
Chainarong Chimnork, 29, was arrested on Wednesday at an apartment in Min Buri district and charged with committing fraud under a false identity, CSD deputy chief Prasopchok Prommoon said.
He created a profile under the alias "Janepitak Somnatsiriwattana na Ayutthaya", Pol Col Prasopchok said.
Two victims whose names were witheld said he used a fake photo and falsely claimed that he was a Grammy-labeled musician working for Assane and Wasant, a famous rock duo.
The women said they met Mr Janepitak on www.jubkoo.com, a dating website. He then began chatting online with them and eventually got them to give up their phone numbers to him.
In August last year according to complaints filed by the two women, the accused con artist convinced them to lend him a combined amount of about four million baht, they said. They trusted the man because they were tricked into believing that he was from a wealthy family.
When they requested to see Mr Janepitak in person, he told them that he was either busy with work, or that his manager did not allow him to come out in public.
After the transaction, they were not able to contact the man any more, so they went to the police, they added.
Mr Chainarong allegedly confessed to police that he registered with the website, under the alias, in 2007.
He borrowed around 10,000 to 100,000 baht each time from the women with whom he conducted an internet relationship, and then invested the money into a restaurant named Add Good.
Pol Col Prasopchok expected more victims will appear, and the damages could mount to five million baht or more.