Thai immigration and police authorities have arrested 11 Nigerians among 13 suspects in connection with an alleged international romance scam syndicate operating in the Muang Thong Thani area.
The joint operation on Monday followed months of investigation prompted by a complaint from a Thai woman in Nong Khai in late 2025. The victim said she was defrauded of over two million baht by a Facebook user posing as a Chinese engineer who claimed he couldn’t access funds for a construction project.
Financial tracking led to Thai mule accounts and eventually to a condominium in Nonthaburi, where the syndicate operated with assigned roles such as online scammers, cash withdrawers, and account recruiters.
During the raid, officers found the suspects actively conducting scams using computers and mobile phones. Thirteen suspects—11 Nigerians and two Ivorians—were arrested, with some attempting to flee.
Authorities said eight suspects had overstayed their visas, while five Nigerians entered Thailand illegally through the Laos border. They face immigration-related charges.
Police seized 34 electronic devices containing evidence of scams involving impersonation of wealthy European and Asian nationals to defraud women. Investigators also uncovered links to the Nong Khai case and found that proceeds were transferred to Nigeria via cryptocurrency.
The arrests come a week after another Nigerian, Ukoma Jefta Nuzbech, was apprehended in Thailand for allegedly fleeing a drug-peddling trial. He was initially arrested in March 2025 for reportedly selling cocaine to an undercover officer.
