Australian arrested in insurance fraud scam

PHUKET: An Australian teen failed in an attempted insurance fraud scam after Phuket police investigated his claim of being robbed at knifepoint on Karon Beach yesterday.

Alex Gorgees, 19, from New South Wales, told Karon Police that he was robbed of cash and personal belongings valued at about 389,500 baht.

“He said that three unknown men held him at knifepoint and forced him to kneel and beg for his life, then took his iPhone 6, a gold necklace, a wristwatch and a gold ring,” said Lt Col Phachai Matthayat of the Karon Police.

Officers identified the location of the alleged robbery and started reviewing CCTV footage, and questioned locals about the reported robbery.

Police then questioned Mr Gorgees’ flatmate, who they declined to name, at their apartment on Soi Ta-iad, in Chalong.

“That’s where we found all the valuables that Mr Gorgees claimed were stolen,” said Col Phachai.

After being presented with the police evidence, Mr Gorgees confessed that he had lied about the robbery in order to file a compensation claim with his insurance, Col Phachai said.

“He was charged with presenting false information to police,” he added.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong