BURIRAM — Four Pakistani nationals were arrested in Buriram province after allegedly running a sophisticated scam targeting local shopkeepers, particularly elderly store owners, using language barriers to confuse their victims and steal money.
The suspects, identified as Muhammad Ramzan, 35, Muhammad Saleem, 34, Amir Hussain, 24, and Muhammad Imran, 21, were apprehended by Buriram Provincial Police following multiple reports from local businesses.
The scammers’ modus operandi involved entering small retail shops and attempting to purchase beer with a 1,000 baht note. They would deliberately create confusion by switching between English and Urdu while communicating with the shopkeepers. The group would then claim to change their minds about the purchase, request a different brand, or pretend to wait for change, ultimately deceiving shop owners into giving them both the money and merchandise.
The scheme was exposed when one vigilant shop owner, who noticed their suspicious behavior, pointed out the store’s CCTV cameras. This prompted the group to leave, and the incident was reported to the police.
Police Major General Rutthaphon Naowarat, head of Buriram Provincial Police, ordered an investigation after receiving multiple complaints. The suspects were caught in a white rental Toyota near a local bank in downtown Buriram.
Initially denying the allegations, the group confessed after being confronted with CCTV evidence. Investigation revealed they had been traveling across several provinces, targeting 5-8 shops daily and specifically choosing elderly shopkeepers who were more vulnerable to their scheme. Each successful scam netted them approximately 950 baht.
The suspects have been charged with theft using a vehicle, an offense carrying a maximum penalty of seven years and six months imprisonment and a fine of up to 150,000 baht.
Foreigners who violate Thai law are subject to the same penalties as Thai citizens. After serving their sentence, their visa will be revoked and they will be deported from the Kingdom of Thailand.
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