250 Thai workers defrauded in Australian job scam
The Department of Employment in Thailand is urgently intervening to aid workers who have been defrauded while attempting to secure employment in Australia. The department identified the culprit and highlighted five legal methods for Thai workers seeking overseas employment.
Yesterday, January 5, Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director General of the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour, addressed a recent incident involving 250 Thai workers.
The workers filed complaints with the Suvarnabhumi International Airport police, claiming they were scammed in their attempts to work in Australia, incurring losses ranging from 60,000 to 120,000 baht each.
According to reports from the Central Employment Registration Division and police at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the events unfolded on January 4 at around 8.30pm. A group of approximately 40 workers and their relatives lodged a report, detailing their interaction with an individual named Fah.
This person allegedly promised to secure agricultural jobs in Australia for a fee of 2,000 baht per worker, also handling monetary transactions amounting to 30,000 to 60,000 baht per worker. There was an agreement for the workers to travel on January 4 on flight TG 471.
However, upon contacting the airline, it was discovered that no tickets had been booked. The defrauded workers plan to file a complaint with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division.
Somchai further explained that initial assistance to the affected workers is being coordinated by the Ministry of Labour. The Department of Employment tasked the Central Employment Registration Division with collaborating with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division and the Central Investigation Bureau to receive complaints from the victims.
Legal action follows
Preliminary investigations identified individuals involved in the fraudulent activities, and legal action will be pursued against them.
Somchai instructed Suvarnabhumi Airport’s labour checkpoint to tighten scrutiny on job seekers exhibiting suspicious behaviour. This includes monitoring individuals or groups acting as illegal employment agents facilitating unlawful overseas employment.
Additionally, airlines have been notified to check for irregularities, which could indicate unauthorised foreign employment or large group travel. A formal request has been sent to Suvarnabhumi Airport police to report any complaints related to overseas employment scams, so legal proceedings can follow, Somchai added.
He emphasised the importance of legal procedures for Thais seeking work abroad, outlining five legitimate pathways: job placement by recruitment agencies, Department of Employment facilitation, self-directed job searching, Thai employers taking employees abroad, and employers sending their employees for training.
Somchai urged Thai job seekers to verify before making any payments, advising them to check the list of licensed recruitment agencies on the Department of Employment’s website to avoid disappointment and financial loss, reported KhaoSod.
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