Six Nigerian men arrested over romance scam in Thailand

By Emmanuel Okogba

Thai police have arrested six Nigerian nationals accused of operating an AI-powered romance scam syndicate from a luxury condominium in Nonthaburi, following an investigation that began with a cocaine trafficking case.

The suspects were arrested during coordinated raids on May 22 at three condominium units along the Chao Phraya River near Phra Nangklao Bridge. Authorities said the men, who were living in groups of five or six per apartment, were using fake identities, AI-generated faces and staged video calls to deceive victims, mostly older Thai women.

According to police, the investigation began in April after officers arrested a Nigerian man identified as Patrick and three others on cocaine trafficking charges. During the operation, police seized assets worth about 2.5 million baht.

According to the trending video on X, shared by a Cambodian based crime researcher with the handle @jacobincambodia, investigators later traced financial transactions linked to the drug case to several foreign nationals staying in the upscale condominium complex on student visas. Police said none of the suspects were enrolled in school or employed.

Armed with search warrants, officers raided the apartments after the occupants reportedly refused to open their doors. One suspect allegedly attempted to escape by climbing over a balcony, while another was found hiding on a bathroom floor while sending warning messages to the other apartments.

Police recovered 18 mobile phones, three laptops and three bank passbooks during the operation. Authorities said some of the phones were still open to active conversations with scam victims.

Investigators alleged that the group posed online as pilots, United States military officers, doctors and engineers to build romantic relationships with women before claiming that expensive packages were being held at customs and required payment of release fees.

Police also said they discovered AI-generated images of Western-looking individuals used for fake video calls, along with scripts designed to manipulate victims into sending money.

Authorities said the six suspects are facing initial charges including illegal association and immigration overstay, while additional fraud and romance scam charges are expected.

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