Samut Sakhon job scam: Myanmar workers duped by Thai brokers

Approximately 100 workers from Myanmar held a protest outside a factory in Mueang district, Samut Sakhon, after discovering they had been duped by a group of Thai brokers. The victims, who had each paid between 3,000 and 7,000 baht, were promised jobs that never materialised.

Police responded to the scene outside the Index Interfurn Company, an Index Living Mall warehouse located on Ekachai Road in Khok Kham subdistrict. The workers had initially approached the company’s security guard, seeking information on job vacancies. This led to an encounter with two young women, who posed as job brokers and assured them of employment opportunities.

The brokers required each worker to pay a fee ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 baht. Some workers handed over cash, while others transferred the money electronically, ensuring they had evidence of the transaction. The workers were instructed to report for work on a future date.

Word of the supposed job openings spread quickly among the Myanmar community, leading to heightened interest. Consequently, around 100 hopeful individuals sought to secure employment through these brokers.

However, when the workers arrived at the location expecting to start their jobs, they were met with disappointment. Entry was denied, and one of the brokers claimed that their shifts would be during the night. This revelation caused unrest among the workers, who demanded refunds of their payments.

According to police, the woman impersonating a broker initially agreed to return the money but subsequently disappeared, leaving the workers with no recourse and prompting them to gather in front of the company that evening.

A manager from Index Interfurn engaged with the protesters, clarifying that the company was not hiring new workers. He explained that production had ceased, and the warehouse was operating with a minimal staff of 10 employees. The facility now serves as a distribution hub for online sales.

The manager further stated that the two alleged brokers were unknown to the company and were not on their payroll.

“We have never seen these women before, and they are not associated with our company.”

Police Colonel Somchai Khokha, superintendent of Khok Kham Police Station, assured that law enforcement is actively pursuing the suspects, including the security guard involved. Charges of fraud are expected to be filed as the investigation progresses, reported Bangkok Post.