Thai woman logged for selling phantom furniture online
Thai police arrested a 31 year old Thai woman for allegedly defrauding customers through a Facebook page by selling non-existent wooden furniture. She was taken into custody near Wat Tha Kwian in Nonthaburi.
The investigation revealed that on June 23, 2022, a victim reported to Mae Chan Police Station that they had been deceived. On June 10 of the same year, the victim came across a Facebook page named Thanya Nop offering wooden furniture for sale.
The victim engaged in a conversation through chat, inquiring about a set of makha wood living room furniture. The seller claimed it could be delivered to Chiang Rai, leading to a purchase agreement.
The victim’s husband made the first bank transfer to the suspect, Thanyarat (surname withheld)’s account on June 11, 2022 at 11.29am for 7,000 baht for the makha wood set. Another transfer of 13,500 baht was made at 12.44pm for a teak wood living room set, including a TV stand and showcase.
A final transfer of 6,000 baht was made on June 15 via PromptPay for a teak cabinet. Despite the payments, the victim never received the furniture and could not contact the seller, prompting them to file a complaint.
During her arrest, Thanyarat confessed to the charges. She disclosed that she completed her secondary education in Nonthaburi but did not pursue a career.
In late 2021, she began a relationship with someone whose family made wooden furniture. She initially took orders and delivered the furniture as promised. However, by early last year, financial difficulties led to delays in fulfilling orders. Thanyarat stopped responding to customer inquiries, resulting in multiple complaints.
Thanyarat was arrested by Ban Bueng police for fraud, having caused damages amounting to approximately 100,000 baht in the middle of last year. She was sentenced to two years in prison and was released in May this year. Despite her awareness of an outstanding warrant, she relocated but was eventually apprehended.
A background check revealed Thanyarat’s history of similar offences, including 12 fraud cases. From 2019 to 2022, she had been involved in multiple fraud cases, with several still pending. The most recent charges include fraud and entering false data into computer systems.
Teeradech, a senior police officer, warned the public about the increasing sophistication of scams and urged caution.
“In today’s society, scammers employ various tactics. We urge everyone to be vigilant and not fall for these schemes.”
He also cautioned against allowing others to use personal bank accounts, as this can facilitate criminal activities.
The penalties for opening or facilitating mule accounts are severe, with imprisonment of up to three years and fines of up to 300,000 baht, or both. Those who arrange for others to open such accounts face even harsher punishments, including two to five years in prison and fines ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 baht.
The police encourage anyone suspicious of fraudulent activities to report immediately to the police or through the IDMB Investigation Facebook page. Although some cases may seem minor, any crime affecting the public will be promptly addressed, reported KhaoSod.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news.
What legal consequences does one face for committing online fraud in Thailand?
Penalties include up to three years imprisonment, fines of up to 300,000 baht, or both. Facilitators face harsher penalties.
How can one verify the legitimacy of online furniture sellers in Thailand?
Check for business registrations, and customer reviews, and avoid sellers without verifiable contact information or those requesting large upfront payments.
What should I do if I suspect I’ve been scammed online in Thailand?
Report immediately to the police or the IDMB Investigation Facebook page, which operates 24/7 to handle such complaints.
Are there any specific signs of fraudulent online sellers to watch out for?
Be cautious of sellers with limited or no physical store presence, highly discounted prices, and those who avoid direct communication.
What steps are Thai police taking to combat increasing online scams?
Police are enhancing public awareness, urging caution, and imposing severe penalties on scammers and those facilitating fraud.
