Romance scammers busted

Romance scammers busted

Surat Thani: Two men from Uganda and a Thai woman have been arrested in Koh Samui on suspicion of involvement in a "romance scam", deputy tourist police chief Surachate Hakparn said.

The men were identified as Rogers Kyeyune, 31, and Emmanuel Kasoma, 37, while the Thai woman was 24-year-old Wilaiwan Petthong, according to Pol Maj Gen Surachate.

The offenders colluded in deceiving their victims through Facebook, he said.

The suspects were arrested as they travelled around withdrawing money from ATMs in Koh Samui on June 30, Pol Maj Gen Surachate said.

Mr Kyeyune and Mr Kasoma had also overstayed their visas, he noted.

The gang members allegedly deceived Thai women into believing the men had fallen in love with them and lured their targets into wiring them money, he said, noting that at least four women have fallen prey to the gang.

The scam, which caused more than 800,000 baht in damages, also took place in the Talat Phlu and Pracha Chuen areas of Bangkok, as well as Buri Ram and Trang.

According to Pol Maj Gen Surachate, Ms Wilaiwan admitted to being paid 4,000 baht to open bank accounts for the gang.

She said her friend recommended the men to her when they met at a spa and she has been working for the gang for more than a month, the deputy tourist police chief added.

Pol Maj Gen Surachate said he would consult with the Foreign Ministry about the visas issued to Nigerian and Ugandan nationals as people from those countries were found to have frequently committed offences in Thailand.

The outcome of the talks will be disclosed soon, Pol Maj Gen Surachate said. More crackdowns will be conducted to catch active romance scammers, he said, giving the tourist police hotline as 1155.

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