Key to the scam: Woman’s repair complaint uncovers fraud ring

A 27 year old woman questioned the high cost of a motorcycle key repair, leading to the discovery of numerous scam victims and a subsequent police report. Victims were overcharged and received substandard repairs from a deceitful technician.

Thidarat shared her experience of being scammed on a popular Rangsit community page. On August 12, her Honda Wave 110 motorcycle key broke, and she sought a repair technician through the page. The perpetrator contacted her, claiming to be a reliable technician. Expecting the repair to cost no more than 2,000 baht (US$60), Thidarat was shocked when she was charged 4,500 baht (US$130) after the repair.

Thidarat paid the amount in cash as she was alone and the technician provided a minimal explanation, claiming that the LED parts used were expensive, costing 2,500 baht (US$75). Later, when her partner returned from work, they questioned the high cost, noting that such a repair should only cost a few hundred baht. Moreover, the technician did not provide any receipts.

“I was alone and felt pressured to pay. When I asked for an explanation, he blocked me.”

Thidarat then returned to the Rangsit community page to ask if the price was reasonable and was quickly informed she had been scammed.

Upon investigating further, Thidarat found numerous complaints about the same technician by searching his name on Google. She had his name because she transferred him 1 baht to obtain his phone number. With this information, Thidarat decided to file a police report.

Similarly, Weerayut, a 36 year old man, shared his ordeal. His home air conditioner began leaking, so he posted on the same Rangsit community page seeking a technician. Chaiwat responded, and Weerayut called him for the repair. Chaiwat seemingly fixed the issue by stuffing a rag into the unit and charged Weerayut 2,700 baht (US$80).

“Initially, the air conditioner seemed fine, but shortly after, it started leaking again.”

When Weerayut posted his experience on the Rangsit page, he found numerous comments from others who had been deceived by Chaiwat. Victims reported that Chaiwat’s repairs were ineffective, and they were charged exorbitant prices, reported KhaoSod.

With mounting evidence, Weerayut decided to report the incident to Police Lieutenant Sawat Kongkaew at the Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station to prevent Chaiwat from scamming others.