Saturday, November 8, 2025 - Police from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD)
have arrested a Nigerian man and five Thai nationals in a major romance scam
racket crackdown in Thailand.
The suspects allegedly defrauded victims of more than ฿114
million.
Operation “Romance 114” targeted a network using fake
profiles of attractive foreign men. Authorities said the profiles were used to
trick victims into transferring large sums of money.
The operation began on November 7, 2025, after Pol. Maj. Gen.
Chanannat Sarathwanphaet, Commander of the TCSD, issued orders. Consequently,
Pol. Col. Chitsanupong Waidee, Superintendent of TCSD’s 3rd Division, led a
team to execute coordinated raids. Locations in Bangkok and Chonburi province
were searched.
Six suspects including Ms. Warisara, 20; Mr. Chalermchai, 23;
Ms. Phanita, 31; Mr.Maduabuchi, 31, Nigerian; Ms. Kesinee, 28; and Ms. Sariya,
40, were arrested in the raids.
They were charged under Criminal Court warrants. Charges
include colluding in fraud, impersonating others, participating in a gang,
entering false information into computer systems, conspiracy to launder money,
and money laundering.
Authorities said the suspects’ assets, believed to be
obtained illegally, were seized, totalling over ฿2.5 million. The seizure
included cash, bank accounts, and digital assets. Investigators said the
operation followed reports from a victim to TCSD Division 3.
Victims reported fake social media accounts using
photographs of foreign men.
The suspects allegedly contacted victims, acted friendly,
and induced them to transfer money. Investigators said the scam involved organized,
systematic roles for each participant.
The Nigerian leader directed operations from abroad. Mr.
Ummaduabuchu, a Nigerian, coordinated with his Thai wife, Ms. Phanita. She
acted as a local coordinator and arranged mule accounts to receive victim
funds.
Once the victims transferred money, Mr. Maduabuchi and Ms. Phanita hired Ms. Warisara and Mr. Chalermchai to withdraw cash.
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