Thai authorities say they have broken up a sophisticated cyber-fraud network that targeted victims online through fake romantic relationships. The Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) confirmed that six suspects — five Thai nationals and one Nigerian — were arrested after simultaneous raids in Bangkok and Chonburi. A second Nigerian national, believed to be a key financier, escaped before officers arrived.
The criminal group is accused of swindling more than ฿114 million, approximately to $3.3 million through romance scams, using fake profiles of foreign men on social media to build trust before convincing victims to transfer large sums of money. So far, police have only recovered approximately ฿2.5 million in cash, Thai bank accounts, and cryptocurrency wallets.
HOW THE NETWORK OPERATED
Investigators said the crime ring was controlled by a Nigerian “godfather” based overseas. Local Thai operatives acted as:
• money mules who received and withdrew victims’ funds
• account coordinators who opened new bank accounts
• cash couriers delivering money to central handlers
• crypto converters who helped shift funds into digital assets before sending them abroad
After victims transferred money, the Thai operatives withdrew the funds, which were then transferred through multiple layers, converted into foreign currency and cryptocurrency, and eventually routed to Nigeria. Each local runner received a 3–4% commission.
THIS RAID IS PART OF A WIDER CRACKDOWN
Authorities said this operation — code-named “Romance 114” — is linked to ongoing investigations following a major arrest on November 3, where three Thai women were detained for a separate romance scam case involving ฿6.2 billion stolen from a multinational corporation executive. That earlier case involved impostors posing as U.S. military personnel.
GLOBAL TREND
Police highlighted that romance scam losses are growing worldwide. The FBI reported in 2022 that U.S. victims alone lost US$1.3 billion (around ฿42 billion), and more than 70,000 people were affected.
WHAT’S NEXT?
TCSD says cooperation with U.S. and other foreign agencies is continuing, and investigators are tracking all remaining fugitives — including the Nigerian suspect who fled the raid.
All six suspects arrested have been formally charged with:
• fraud and participation in a criminal organization
• impersonation
• entering fraudulent information into computer systems
• money laundering
Police urge anyone who suspects they’ve been targeted in similar online romantic approaches to report immediately, noting that such scams have become highly organized, multinational, and increasingly difficult to track if victims delay reporting.
Source:Africa Publicity
