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International Romance Scam Ring Dismantled in Thailand: 13 Arrested
Thai immigration authorities, in collaboration with local police, have successfully dismantled a sophisticated international romance scam operation, apprehending 11 Nigerian men alongside two Ivorian nationals. The arrests took place on Monday at a residential complex located in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi province, with the news becoming public on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
How the Scam Unfolded: A Victim’s Story
The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed late last year by a Thai woman at Mueang Nong Khai Police Station. She revealed that she had been defrauded of over 2 million baht, which she had transferred to four different bank accounts controlled by the scammers. The perpetrators had initially contacted her through Facebook, masquerading as a Chinese engineer.
Communication soon shifted to the LINE messaging app, where the victim believed she was developing a genuine romantic relationship. The impostor frequently sent images of construction sites, claiming these were his work locations. Eventually, he requested a loan to fund a large construction project, promising prompt repayment. Unfortunately, the victim never received any reimbursement.
Uncovering the Syndicate’s Operations
Police investigations revealed that the fraudsters operated from separate rooms within the same building in Pak Kret district. A coordinated raid was executed around 1 PM on Tuesday, catching the suspects off guard. Some attempted to flee barefoot but were quickly apprehended. Remarkably, several were found actively engaging with victims online during the raid.
Among the 13 arrested individuals, 11 were Nigerian men and two were from Ivory Coast. Authorities discovered that most had overstayed their visas, with five Nigerians entering Thailand illegally. The search of their quarters yielded four computers and 29 mobile phones.
Modus Operandi and Money Laundering Tactics
Analysis of the confiscated devices showed the scammers created numerous fake profiles, adopting identities from various Asian and European countries to deceive their targets. The syndicate operated with a clear division of labor: some members contacted victims, others managed mule bank accounts, and a separate group handled the laundering of illicit funds.
Several gang members were involved in relationships with Thai women, whose bank accounts were exploited as mule accounts. The stolen money was reportedly converted into cryptocurrency before being transferred to accounts in Nigeria, complicating efforts to trace the funds.
Luxurious Lifestyle Amidst Criminal Activities
According to reports from Thai news outlet Ejan, the gang members enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle, including luxury cruises within Thailand. Photographic evidence showed them indulging in high-end leisure activities, highlighting the lucrative nature of their illicit enterprise.
