Thai millionaire loses over 63 million baht to romance scammers

Five individuals, including two women and three Thai men, were apprehended for orchestrating a six-year-long romance scam, fleecing a millionaire of more than 63 million baht.

The victim, a Thai millionaire, realized the scam after facing financial ruin and reported the ordeal to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), resulting in the arrest of the main perpetrator, 35-year-old Nontikarn, in Ayutthaya on February 27.

The victim’s relationship with Nontikarn, masquerading as “Ice” on a dating site since 2016, evolved over the years despite never meeting in person. Plans for marriage were stalled as Nontikarn claimed to battle cancer, soliciting funds from the victim under various pretexts like medical bills, family debts, and real estate investments.

Nontikarn’s deception was elaborate, involving accomplices posing as family members who visited the victim, reinforcing the illusion of her existence. Over six years, the victim transferred money to Nontikarn 690 times, resulting in the staggering loss.

Confessing to orchestrating the scam, Nontikarn disclosed sharing the ill-gotten gains with family and other syndicate members, lavishly spending on luxury properties, vehicles, designer goods, vacations, and more.

“Behind every scam is a web of deceit, but the courage to expose it brings justice to light.”

Following Nontikarn’s admission to orchestrating the romance scam and dispersing the proceeds among her family and accomplices, which were splurged on opulent residences, vehicles, designer goods, and lavish vacations, the apprehension of the remaining four scammers ensued on March 18. Among them were Krittika, a 30-year-old woman; Kongphop, aged 34; Jeerasak, aged 31; and Wachira, also 30.

The quintet faces charges under three sections:

Section 342 of the Criminal Law, pertaining to fraud through impersonation, carrying a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine not exceeding 10,000 baht, or both.
Section 14 of the Computer Act, concerning the dissemination of false information causing harm, punishable by imprisonment for a maximum of five years, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both.
Section 9 of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering, for conspiring to engage in money laundering, with potential penalties ranging from one to ten years’ imprisonment, fines between 20,000 and 200,000 baht, or both.

The accused face charges under Sections 342, 14 of the Criminal Law and the Computer Act, respectively, and Section 9 of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering, carrying penalties ranging from imprisonment to hefty fines.