₦airaland Forum

Thai police have arrested six Nigerian nationals during a raid on a luxury condominium in Nonthaburi, accusing them of involvement in a romance-scam network that allegedly used fake online profiles to deceive victims into transferring money.

The operation, codenamed “Dark Room Crackdown”, was carried out on May 22 at a riverside condominium near Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Bang Kraso, Muang district. Police searched three rooms under warrants issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court.

Officers arrested six suspects aged between 23 and 35. Five were found to have overstayed their visas for periods ranging from 695 to 1,560 days, while checks on the sixth suspect were also conducted as part of the case.

Denis, 23, Nigerian — overstayed by 726 days
Ejikeme, 24, Nigerian — overstayed by 827 days
Ibekwe, 29, Nigerian — overstayed by 1,166 days
Okorom, 26, Nigerian — overstayed by 695 days
Nwosu, 30, Nigerian — overstayed by 1,560 days
Obielu, 35, Nigerian — overstay status not specified


Police seized 18 mobile phones, three laptop computers and three bank books. Investigators said the devices contained alleged romance-scam chats, scam scripts and AI-generated profile images.

The suspects were initially charged with being members of a secret society and overstaying their permission to remain in Thailand. Police said further charges related to romance-scam offences may follow after investigators coordinate with victims and local police stations handling related complaints.

The raid followed an investigation into foreign criminal networks allegedly linked to unusual financial transactions. Police said the group had been living together in the condominium despite holding student visas, with no clear evidence of attending classes or regular employment.

During the search, police said some suspects refused to open the doors, prompting officers to force entry over concerns that evidence might be destroyed. One suspect allegedly tried to escape via a balcony, while another was found hiding in a bathroom and attempting to send messages to warn others.

Investigators said the suspects allegedly used fake profiles of well-presented foreign men, such as pilots, soldiers, lawyers, engineers and doctors, to approach victims through Messenger, Facebook, WeChat, TikTok, Line and Zalo.

The alleged scam typically involved building romantic trust before claiming that a parcel had been sent from overseas but was being held by customs, requiring the victim to transfer money.

Police said many victims were older Thai women. Evidence found on the seized devices allegedly included prepared conversation scripts used to manipulate victims emotionally.

All six suspects were taken, together with the seized evidence, to Rattanathibet Police Station for legal proceedings. Police said the suspects confessed to the initial charges during the arrest stage.

iamfraud:
Thailand should resume killing of these criminals as they always do

iamfraud:
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40066561

Enddy50ty:
They’re all members of a certain cult group

Image123:
They should have gone to UK to get loans based on their academic background.

iamfraud:
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40066561

MartinCorridon:
They will be illegal immigrants and then come online to form Obidients and abuse Nigeria

keemsleek:
Obi is not lying on this and it's a common practice in UK its not a special thing.

Yes, it is possible — but it is usually more nuanced than “just educational background.”
Peter Obi was likely referring to a type of lending system common in countries like the UK where banks may assess:
Educational qualifications
Professional history
Income potential
Credit score/history
Employment stability
Reputation and financial behavior
instead of relying only on physical collateral like land or buildings.
For example, in the United Kingdom:
A medical doctor, lawyer, accountant, or graduate from a strong university may qualify for unsecured loans more easily.
Startups and young professionals can sometimes get business or personal loans based on projected earning capacity and creditworthiness.
Banks heavily use credit scoring systems and financial records.
That said, banks still usually check:
Your income
Your repayment history
Your bank transactions
Existing debts
Visa/residency status (if applicable)
So it is rarely “education only.” Education may improve trust and earning projections, reducing the need for hard collateral.
This differs from many Nigerian lending practices, where banks often demand:
landed property,
guarantors,
fixed assets,
or large deposits,
because of higher default risks, weaker credit databases, and economic instability.
So Peter Obi’s statement is broadly believable in principle, especially for certain professional or unsecured loan products in the UK.