Pattaya —
A group of shop owners in Pattaya have fallen victim to a scam in which they were coerced into paying significant amounts of money to avoid arrest by fraudulent individuals posing as police officers.
The scheme involved a gang of men who dressed as police officers and approached shops claiming to be conducting inspections for illicit merchandise. These shops primarily sold goods intended for Myanmar consumers. The victims were coerced into paying sums ranging from 2000 baht to 20,000 baht in exchange for not being apprehended for selling products without alleged permission.
Multiple victims have since reported their experiences to the Pattaya Police Station. One victim, Mongkol Thiangkhaem, 40, recounted that the impersonators had approached him and his girlfriend, falsely identifying themselves as officers.
The individuals demanded that the shop pay a fine for selling products intended for Myanmar consumers, under the pretense of lacking Thai labels. Fearing legal complications and not wanting any trouble, Mongkol and his girlfriend paid 20,000 Baht to end the confrontation.
Another victim, Arisa Hanchengchai, revealed that the same gang, also posing as police officers, threatened to press charges against her for selling Myanmar goods and demanded payments for leniency. While she and her peers were initially unsure about the legitimacy of these claims, they paid the initial sum.
Subsequently, the gang attempted to extort monthly payments from Orisa. In light of these developments, she lodged a complaint at the Pattaya Police Station, supported by CCTV footage that had captured the scammers’ activities.
The Pattaya Police Station is currently investigating the matter, while refusing their involvement in the scam and stating the men involved were not actual officers.
