Lottery scam: Samut Prakan vendor receives fake 1,000 baht notes
A lottery vendor in Samut Prakan fell victim to a scam when a man used counterfeit 1,000 baht notes to purchase lottery tickets. The vendor only realised the deception after the man had vanished with both the tickets and 600 baht in change.
The lottery ticket seller, 61 year old Lam Yai Thatthong reported the incident to the police at the Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station. Her stall is located opposite the Chao Pho Lak Mueang Shrine in Pak Nam. While conducting her usual business, a man, approximately 40 years old, approached her booth, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. He appeared to be a typical customer searching for lucky numbers on the lottery tickets.
As the available lottery tickets were dwindling, the man decided to purchase nearly all remaining tickets, totalling 24. The total cost amounted to 2,400 baht. He handed Lam Yai three 1,000 baht notes. Unaware that the notes were counterfeit, Lam Yai gave him 600 baht in change. The man quickly left the scene immediately after the transaction.
Later, upon examining the notes, Lam Yai noticed the absence of a watermark depicting the king’s shadow. The texture of the paper felt similar to standard A4 paper, confirming her suspicion that the notes were fake. Unable to pursue the man due to her mobility issues, she immediately reported the incident to the police, hoping to catch the perpetrator.
“I hope this serves as a warning to other vendors. We must be vigilant and thoroughly check the banknotes before completing a sale. This is the first time I have encountered such a situation.”
Police have documented the incident and are actively pursuing the suspect. Lam Yai’s report serves as an official record to aid in the investigation. It is believed that the scammer may have executed similar frauds in the past, making it imperative for vendors to remain cautious, reported KhaoSod.
