A couple has been arrested in Bangkok for allegedly scamming job seekers out of 70,000 baht each in exchange for fake overseas employment offers. Anuwat and his wife, Chantima, were apprehended by officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) at their home in the Prasert Manukit area on December 7. The police have withheld their surnames. The couple faces multiple charges, including public fraud, document forgery, and violations of the Computer Crime Act.
The arrests followed a tip-off from the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok, which raised concerns about several individuals submitting forged documents for their visa applications. Investigators found that the couple had been advertising attractive job opportunities in countries like New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia via social media. These ads attracted numerous job seekers, who were each asked to pay 70,000 baht (approximately US$2,050) to cover various fees, including job placement and visa costs.
During the arrest, authorities seized 11 passports, employment contracts, computers, and mobile phones from the suspects. Authorities also revealed that Anuwat and Chantima had been involved in five previous document forgery cases. As of now, two victims have officially filed complaints, but police suspect many more people may have fallen victim to the scam.
In their questioning, the couple partially admitted to the charges. The suspects were brought before the Criminal Court, where authorities opposed any requests for bail. The investigation is ongoing.
