Poipet: A young man from Thailand was lured by an online investment scam that promised significant profits, only to find himself trapped across the border in Poipet, Cambodia, and coerced into taking part in fraudulent activities.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepo, Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division 1, discussed this alarming case during an interview with MCOT News FM 100.5. The victim was enticed by a Facebook investment page that claimed a 30,000 baht investment could yield hundreds of thousands in profit. The supposed company location, a mere 200 meters from the Thai-Cambodian border, convinced him to travel to Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province, to verify the claims. However, upon arrival, he was misled to a resort and subsequently forced to cross into Poipet without his knowledge. There, he encountered around 10 other Thai nationals who had fallen prey to similar deceit, with some coerced into roles as administrators or construction workers.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat explained that the victim was compelled to scan their face to open seven bank accounts, which were then used to funnel money from the scam. The scam had already drained two of his accounts, totaling approximately 100,000 baht. Over a 15-day period, the victim endured captivity, with his phone confiscated and verbal threats employed to instill fear, although no physical harm was inflicted. The captives were provided with meals thrice daily.
Once the bank accounts became useless, the scam operators released the victims near the border and instructed them to flee along a specific path. Military rangers eventually rescued them, along with 15 others, and they were taken to Khlong Nam Sai Police Station for legal proceedings. The victim's girlfriend, who had been separated earlier, was released a week prior when her account ceased to be of use for online transactions.
Preliminary checks of the online police reporting system as of April 13th have not uncovered reports on the victim's account, but authorities suspect there may be additional unreported victims. The case highlights both online fraud via Facebook and illegal cross-border activities. Investigations are ongoing into resorts, guesthouses, and individuals in the Sa Kaeo area to expand the investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The victims revealed that the lure of high returns prompted them to visit the location, assuming they could withdraw if dissatisfied. However, circumstances deteriorated as they were taken across the border, stripped of their phones, and held captive. Despite the ordeal, they ultimately returned safely but with a profound loss of money and freedom.