Two Nepalese men were arrested in Pattaya on January 14 for allegedly defrauding locals and tourists by using counterfeit US dollars. The men, Som and Ghanendra, were part of a scam involving fake currency, which targeted both Thai citizens and foreign visitors.
According to Police Major General Natthakorn Prapaiyon, Commander of Immigration Bureau Division 3, police had been alerted by local residents who reported being deceived by a group known as the “Black Money gang.” The gang falsely claimed they could produce real-looking counterfeit banknotes using special chemical solutions. Victims were duped into investing in the chemical process to “clean” the fake currency.
Following the investigation into these complaints, authorities tracked down the suspects, who were found hiding in a rental room in Pattaya. In a raid conducted in the early hours, officers discovered counterfeit dollar-sized black paper, along with photocopies of US dollars. The suspects, both of Nepalese origin, were also found to have entered Thailand illegally via the natural border with Cambodia.
Police confiscated the counterfeit US dollars and are currently investigating the scam, suspecting that multiple victims have already been defrauded. Som and Ghanendra were arrested and brought to Pattaya Police Station, where they are facing charges related to the Immigration Act. Additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.
In related news, Phuket police are actively searching for an Uzbek national who allegedly attempted to exchange counterfeit US dollars at a currency exchange shop in Cherng Talay. The incident occurred on December 14, 2023, and authorities were notified shortly afterward.
Elsewhere, police in Bangkok arrested a Chinese man found in possession of 95 counterfeit 1,000-baht banknotes at the Chatuchak Weekend Market.