Beware bogus inspectors: PPEA warns

PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) today warned people to beware of a gang posing as PPEA workers who rob homes during or after bogus inspections. Sornchai Uparamai, the Manager of the PPEA, said that the gang members, dressed in PPEA workers’ uniforms, arrive unannounced at homes and ask to inspect electrical appliances or the electrical meter, claiming that the inspection is part of a government campaign. “The gang targets elderly people and maids home alone, and pretends that they want to inspect something electrical in the house, but then steal small items during the ‘inspection’ or return later to burgle the house,” he said. Stressing that the PPEA currently had no workers making house calls to inspect appliances or meters, he said. “People should not allow PPEA workers into their homes to inspect anything, and [if suspicious] they should immediately call the PPEA at 076-217326. “If the PPEA does start an inspection campaign we will make a public announcement first,” he added. The warning was issued at the behest of Phuket Governor CEO Pangpayome Vasaputi, who is concerned that Phuket may suffer a spate of burglaries similar to those recently perpetrated in Isarn by a gang impersonating electricity authority workers.