Don't get caught up in this scam

[reader]

Most of us are agreeable to help  another visitor who appears to be confused. That's what thieves are counting on. They may stop you with an innocent question but conversation will quickly turn to currencies or how to exchange them. I was approached not that long ago on Surawong at the entrance to Soi Thaniya by a man inquiring at first about the location of a hospital. As soon as he started talking about exchanging money, I sensed where it was going and walked away.

This article describes events that took place in front of entrance to Ibis Hotel on Silom and on Sukhumvit Soi 20..

From Khaosod English

On September 22, police officers from Thung Mahamek Police Station in Bangkok arrested Mr. Saber, a 41-year-old Iranian national, on charges of “theft at night” under a warrant issued by the South Bangkok Criminal Court. The arrest took place at Marvin Suites Hotel, Soi Sathorn 11, Yannawa Subdistrict, Sathorn District, Bangkok.

The arrest follows an incident on September 15 when a female Russian tourist reported that she had been robbed in front of the Ibis Hotel on Silom Road. A foreign man had approached her, asking to see the money in her purse. When she opened it, he grabbed the money and immediately fled.

Detectives from Thung Mahamek Police Station investigated by reviewing CCTV footage and identified the suspect as an Iranian national. They then obtained an arrest warrant from the court. During questioning, the suspect admitted to the crime, stating that he took the money only for daily expenses.

However, officers will continue the investigation as the behavior is similar to a previous case where an Iranian suspect asked to see a Chinese tourist’s money before snatching it as well.

On September 17, Thonglor Police Station officers arrested Mr. Mohammad, 29, and Ms. Ali, 41, both Iranian nationals, in front of a condominium in Yanawa subdistrict, Sathorn district, Bangkok. They were suspected of stealing from a Chinese tourist.

Police investigation revealed that the pair approached Chinese tourists standing in front of a hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 20, pretending to be friendly. They engaged in conversation about currency exchange and asked to see the tourist’s cash. After returning the money, some was missing. The Chinese tourists later discovered that 10,000 baht had disappeared and filed a report at Thonglor Police Station.

Continues with photos and video

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/crime-crime/2024/09/22/iranian-man-nabbed-for-snatching-russian-tourists-cash-in-bangkok/

 

 

[Olddaddy]

Why would you show anyone your money in the wallet?😳

Seems a bit strange 🤔 

A bit like the Indian guy who wanted to "bless" my wallet once in Pattaya 😂

How do these scammers find such stupid people?

 

 

 

[Travelingguy]

This was a common scam in Europe. It may still be. The people who would approach you would say they’re with the tourist police. They would say that they want to inspect the money in your wallet to make sure there are no counterfeits. Just walk away.

 

I think it would be a little difficult for an Iranian National to convince anybody in Bangkok that he is a police officer.

[floridarob]

8 hours ago, Olddaddy said:

How do these scammers find such stupid people?

so did your wallet feel any lighter after he blessed it 🧐

[unicorn]

On 9/22/2024 at 11:23 AM, reader said:

...A foreign man had approached her, asking to see the money in her purse. When she opened it, he grabbed the money and immediately fled...

With targets this easy, maybe we won't have to worry about pickpockets in the future? Why bother pickpocketing when you can just ask and have people show you their money?

[TMax]

I was approached by another foreigner at Sala Daeng BTS early one morning (many years ago now), no idea why he singled me out but he had that scammer look about him (he had a heated phone conversation that everyone could clearly hear just prior) so as he approached I just told him to go away and that I wasn't interested. Prick did follow me for a while before thankfully losing interest or finally waking up to the fact that I wasn't interested in him or his trouble. In Manila they used to have immigration police impersonators cruising the streets in Ermita looking for foreigners to extort money from. They would ask to see your passport and visa then try to bullshit and say it wasn't in order and you would have to pay some ridiculous fine at the immigration office or pay a "not so big on the spot fine", amazed at just how many fell for it too.

[Keithambrose]

6 hours ago, TMax said:

I was approached by another foreigner at Sala Daeng BTS early one morning (many years ago now), no idea why he singled me out but he had that scammer look about him (he had a heated phone conversation that everyone could clearly hear just prior) so as he approached I just told him to go away and that I wasn't interested. Prick did follow me for a while before thankfully losing interest or finally waking up to the fact that I wasn't interested in him or his trouble. In Manila they used to have immigration police impersonators cruising the streets in Ermita looking for foreigners to extort money from. They would ask to see your passport and visa then try to bullshit and say it wasn't in order and you would have to pay some ridiculous fine at the immigration office or pay a "not so big on the spot fine", amazed at just how many fell for it too.

Sometimes it can be interesting.  I was approached, years ago, near Grand Central Station in NY. Fairly well dressed guy, with English accent. As I am English, he may have heard me speak. I got a very well crafted tale of woe, I am a doctor, lost my wallet, etc. He would give me no of hospital to ring etc. I was sure it was a scam, but very impressive. We talked for 10 mins. Eventually,  I said that I did not believe  him, but I would give him $10, as I thought his performance was so good. He went away happy!

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

 Eventually,  I said that I did not believe  him, but I would give him $10, as I thought his performance was so good. He went away happy!

good idea, you rewarded his for an impressive street performance.

In unsophisticated attempt of scam I was once approached on 2nd Road in Pattaya by farang claiming he is hungry , has no money because girl he took from stole all his money. I was equally straightforward and told him ' I'm chasing boys , you are  making wrong choices" or something to this effect. To which his response was equally sophisticated " fuck you  fucking fag ". Mine  was  poetic as well " but my  money is not stolen"

[reader]

When approached by anyone with a yarn, I always glance at their feet. Truly down and out guys aren't wearing new Nikes.

[Olddaddy]

I go into a long story on how sympathetic I am, and then they listen attentively and at the last minute I hit them with...."I will help you for a blowjob!!!

The shocked look on their faces 😲 

[reader]

4 hours ago, Olddaddy said:

I go into a long story on how sympathetic I am, and then they listen attentively and at the last minute I hit them with...."I will help you for a blowjob!!!

The shocked look on their faces 😲 

Well did you give them the blowjob?

[Keithambrose]

7 hours ago, Olddaddy said:

I go into a long story on how sympathetic I am, and then they listen attentively and at the last minute I hit them with...."I will help you for a blowjob!!!

The shocked look on their faces 😲 

Sometimes, does it work?

[vinapu]

On 10/4/2024 at 5:34 AM, Olddaddy said:

I go into a long story on how sympathetic I am, and then they listen attentively and at the last minute I hit them with...."I will help you for a blowjob!!!

The shocked look on their faces 😲 

you are licenced sadist