₦airaland Forum

Police arrested a Thai woman and three Nigerian men yesterday, April 28, over alleged links to a Pattaya romance scam operation using mule bank accounts to receive money from victims.

The suspects were arrested at a hotel in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. Tourist police investigators in Pattaya and regional investigators from Provincial Police Region 2 seized 12 mobile phones and 12 bank passbooks from the property.

The Thai suspect was identified as 41 year old Patcharin, while the three Nigerian nationals were identified as Chibueze, Miracle, and John.

Patcharin reportedly confessed to supplying bank accounts to the Nigerian group, including Chibueze, whom she identified as her husband.

She said she was paid 2,000 baht for each bank account and received a further 10% commission for withdrawing and transferring money for the group daily, claiming the highest amount was 30,000 baht a day.

Police said the suspects were part of a wider romance scam network involving Nigerian nationals in Thailand and overseas. Victims were reportedly tricked into transferring money to mule accounts sourced by the group.

The money was then allegedly withdrawn or transferred by other members before being sent to senior figures in Nigeria for laundering.

The suspects and seized items were taken to Bang Lamung Police Station for legal proceedings.

Siam Chon News reported that police filed charges over arranging the sale, rental, or lending of bank accounts, electronic cards, and electronic money accounts for use in technology crimes.

They also face charges under Sections 10 and 11 of the 2023 Emergency Decree for arranging mobile phone numbers registered under other people’s names, and were charged with being members of a secret society under Section 209 of the Criminal Code.

Pattaya tourist police added that the investigation would be expanded to identify other people involved in the network.

Elsewhere, police have dismantled a major romance scam network run by a Nigerian national and five Thai accomplices, accused of swindling victims out of over 114 million baht. Officers also seized assets valued at over 2.5 million baht, believed to be proceeds from the scam.

Pacesetter123:
Kip kwayet dia!!!
Respect kiiiiiii you dia!!!
Respect their host in what way?
When did Ekpenyong disrespect his host?
Beside,are you telling the whole world that South Africa is a lawless country that penalty to a perceived insult to a citizen of S/A is de@th by jungle justice by miscreants?
And you that is supporting such a barbaric and primitive way of life by the S/Africans,is that how it's done in Osun state that you are from?
Whatever happened to court and the Rule of Law there!

Omoawoke:
But why igbos always doing this fa?

Pacesetter123:
You see this is the problem.
These people are the ENABLERS of the xenophobic attacks on other Africans by the uncivilized South Africans.
See stewpid talk.

So,Ekpenyong ,my fellow Calabar brother that they just kiiii there was also crowned "The Obong of Calabar in South Africa"?
The Tanzania man I just saw the video in the other thread being battered by the illiterate South Africans was also a king of his tribe there too?
Before the Eze Ndigbo incident, you were in a hole that you didn't hear of frequent xenophobic attacks by the Black South Africans against their fellow Black Africans from other countries?

esnbrutality:
No think say ..I no see you iamfrau.d this your new account is casted already.

Go and improve your life...TINUBU can NEVER make you a MILLIONAIRE. Hunger and servitude will NEVER make you grow.

Shame..

Radicalwarrior:
Did Owobokiri and co forget to tell you people that bola tinubu forged his school certificate.

Radicalwarrior:
What makes sense is always nonsense to you because of your tribalism habit.

jmoore:
Atiku was the one that went to interview and started throwing stray bullets at his coalition members.

What exactly is the coalition for if there wasn't a prior agreement before the key figures joined?

Atiku has the right to contest. Obi also has the right to leave ADC and contest on another platform.

Radicalwarrior:
It’s unfortunate that statements like these fail to acknowledge the real issues at play in Nigeria’s quest for leadership. Yes, experience is important, but so is equity and justice in our political landscape. The argument for Atiku’s experience and long-standing contributions to governance is valid, but it overlooks a crucial point: the demand for inclusivity in leadership and fair representation, particularly when it’s the Southeast’s turn to produce the next president.

Leadership in Nigeria cannot continue to be a game of “turn-taking” where some regions are systematically sidelined. The principle of fairness, not just experience, should be at the heart of this conversation. Yes, Atiku’s experience is undeniable, but the idea that certain regions or candidates are entitled to leadership simply because they have held power before, or because of political pressure, only deepens the sense of injustice felt by those who have been excluded for far too long.

It’s also worth noting that advocating for regional equity doesn’t diminish the competence of any candidate—whether it’s Atiku or Obi. It’s about understanding that leadership should not always be defined by who’s had their time at the top, but also who has the potential to bring fresh perspectives to governance and foster true national unity.

Finally, the notion that calls for a Southeastern president are divisive or premature ignores the reality that some regions of Nigeria have been historically marginalized. If we’re serious about unity and progress, then the political conversation needs to evolve to not just be about experience or power games, but about ensuring no one is left behind. So, rather than dismissing those who are advocating for the rightful representation of the Southeast, maybe it’s time we asked ourselves: What kind of Nigeria do we really want to build?

Naijahero1:
It's unfortunate that a man as good as Pete Edochie would give birth to a foolish son who supports a drug lord and shady identity. If it had been Soludo, it would have been better. Hundred million could be transferred to IG by mistake.

Dshocker:
In China, Tinubu and his family, would have been executed, including yourself that is supporting fraud and corruption.

anytexy:
. Have you taken your drugs this morning.? Please, do, if you haven't.

Dshocker:
If Nigeria was working according to the constitution, is Tinubu suppose to still be in office?

OGOLMEKZ95:
Since that is clearly not the most pressing issue facing the country, if the government were truly acting in the interests of the people, do you honestly believe criminal activity rates would be this high?
How many times have you posted about your ‘lord and savior’ over the mismanagement of public funds?

OGOLMEKZ95:
Since that is clearly not the most pressing issue facing the country, if the government were truly acting in the interests of the people, do you honestly believe criminal activity rates would be this high?
How many times have you posted about your ‘lord and savior’ over the mismanagement of public funds?

owobokiri:
From all indications, dude is a lost cause..
Totally lost and de praved..
Pity..