Six Nigerian men arrested over romance rip-off in Thailand

By Emmanuel Okogba

Thai police hold arrested six Nigerian nationals accused of working an AI-powered romance rip-off syndicate from a luxurious condo in Nonthaburi, following an investigation that began with a cocaine trafficking case.

The suspects were arrested one day of coordinated raids on Would possibly well maybe maybe 22 at three condo items along the Chao Phraya River conclude to Phra Nangklao Bridge. Authorities acknowledged the boys, who were living in groups of 5 or six per condo, were the usage of incorrect identities, AI-generated faces and staged video calls to deceive victims, basically older Thai females.

Primarily based on police, the investigation began in April after officers arrested a Nigerian man is named Patrick and three others on cocaine trafficking costs. In some unspecified time in the future of the operation, police seized sources payment about 2.5 million baht.

Primarily based on the trending video on X, shared by a Cambodian based crime researcher with the tackle @jacobincambodia, investigators later traced monetary transactions linked to the drug case to several foreign nationals staying within the upscale condo complex on scholar visas. Police acknowledged none of the suspects were enrolled in school or employed.

Armed with search warrants, officers raided the residences after the occupants reportedly refused to start their doorways. One suspect allegedly tried to interrupt out by hiking over a balcony, while another changed into once stumbled on hiding on a lavatory ground while sending warning messages to utterly different residences.

Police recovered 18 cellphones, three laptops and three monetary institution passbooks one day of the operation. Authorities acknowledged about a of the phones were soundless start to active conversations with rip-off victims.

Investigators alleged that the neighborhood posed online as pilots, United States military officers, clinical doctors and engineers to hold romantic relationships with females earlier than claiming that pricey programs were being held at customs and required price of free up costs.

Police also acknowledged they stumbled on AI-generated photos of Western-taking a look folks extinct for incorrect video calls, along with scripts designed to govern victims into sending money.

Authorities acknowledged the six suspects are going by initial costs along with unlawful affiliation and immigration overstay, while additional fraud and romance rip-off costs are expected.

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