_Maha Christopher_
Thai police have arrested six Nigerians linked to an alleged romance scam syndicate that used AI generated faces and fake identities to target mostly older Thai women online.
According to Bangkok Post, the suspects were arrested after police raided three condominium rooms in Nonthaburi, near the Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Muang district.
Police said the operation briefly turned chaotic after the suspects allegedly refused to open the doors and attempted to destroy evidence before officers forced their way into the apartments.
During the raid, authorities reportedly recovered 18 mobile phones, three laptops and three bank passbooks.
Some of the seized phones allegedly contained active chats linked to drug transactions and online scam activities.
Investigators said the arrests followed an earlier operation in April, during which a suspected major figure in a cocaine trafficking network identified as Patrick and four accomplices were arrested, with assets worth 2.5 million baht seized.
Financial investigations reportedly later led authorities to the Nigerian suspects, who were said to be living in luxury riverside condominiums while using student visas as cover despite not attending school or holding legitimate jobs.
Police further claimed evidence recovered from the suspects’ phones revealed a sophisticated online romance scam operation involving AI generated images portraying wealthy foreign men.
The suspects allegedly created fake profiles posing as pilots, American soldiers and doctors in order to deceive victims emotionally and financially.
Authorities said the scammers often told victims that expensive gifts had been sent from abroad but were being held by customs, before demanding money to cover supposed clearance fees.
Investigators also reportedly discovered scripts containing sexually suggestive conversations allegedly designed to exploit loneliness and emotional vulnerability among older women.
The six suspects, aged between 23 and 35, reportedly confessed to charges relating to criminal association and visa overstay.
Thai authorities said investigations are ongoing and additional fraud and romance scam related charges may be filed as more victims come forward.
Video: https://x.com/i/status/2058149110042050791
