Khon Kaen shop owner scammed into buying water instead of beer
A grocery shop owner in Khon Kaen was deceived into buying a crate of what she thought was beer for 500 baht, only to find it filled with bottles of plain water. She shared a video online to warn other shop owners of the scam.
The incident took place yesterday, August 4, at around 7pm. The owner, 64 year old Suphan, was sitting outside her shop in the Ban Samakkhi area of Mueang district, Khon Kaen, when a man approached her on a motorcycle.
Described as short and stout with dark skin, the man offered to sell her a crate of beer for 500 baht, a price significantly lower than the usual market rate of over 600 baht per crate. Given the late hour and the recent news of a beer truck accident near the village, Suphan decided to buy the crate, thinking the beer might be from the accident and sold at a discount.
Suphan inspected the crate and found it to be new, so she proceeded with the purchase. After paying, the man bought some local alcohol, prompting Suphan to comment on the irony of selling beer and buying alcohol. The man, unfazed, drank the alcohol leisurely before leaving on his motorcycle.
Shortly after the man left, Suphan’s son arrived at the shop. She asked him to open the crate, only to discover that the bottles were sealed unusually and some bottle caps were not tightly closed.
Upon opening the bottles, they found that all 12 were filled with plain water. Realising they had been tricked, Suphan decided to film a video of herself pouring out the water from the bottles and posted it on Facebook to alert other shop owners to the scam.
“I was shocked and disappointed. I hope this serves as a warning to others to be cautious and not fall victim to such scams.”
Viral video
Following the viral video, many shop owners shared their similar experiences, suggesting that the scam might be more widespread than initially thought. Suphan mentioned that she plans to file a report with the Tha Phra Police Station to track down the scammer.
Despite the deception, Suphan maintains a forgiving stance.
“I don’t hold a grudge against the man. I just want him to turn over a new leaf and stop doing this to anyone else.”
Suphan added that this experience has taught her to be more cautious and not to trust strangers easily.
This incident highlights the increasing need for vigilance among small business owners, especially in times of economic hardship when scams can become more prevalent. Suphan’s story serves as a reminder that while compassion is a virtue, it is also essential to verify the authenticity of products and sellers to prevent falling prey to such deceitful tactics.
The local community has rallied around Suphan, with many expressing their support and sharing the video to spread awareness. The police are expected to investigate the matter, hoping to prevent future incidents and bring the perpetrator to justice, reported KhaoSod.
