Thai authorities detain half-dozen Nigerian nationals in connection with online love scam operation

Thai authorities have taken six Nigerian nationals into custody, accusing them of running a sophisticated romance scam operation from a high-end condominium in Nonthaburi, which was uncovered during an investigation that initially focused on a cocaine trafficking case. The arrests were made on May 22, following coordinated raids on three condominium units situated along the Chao Phraya River, near Phra Nangklao Bridge.

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The suspects, who lived in groups of five or six per apartment, allegedly utilized fake identities, AI-generated faces, and staged video calls to deceive their victims, primarily older Thai women.

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According to the police, the investigation began in April, after a Nigerian man, identified as Patrick, and three others were apprehended on cocaine trafficking charges, leading to the seizure of assets valued at approximately 2.5 million baht.

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A crime researcher based in Cambodia, with the handle @jacobincambodia, shared a video on X, which revealed that investigators had traced financial transactions linked to the drug case to several foreign nationals residing in the condominium complex on student visas.

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None of the suspects were found to be enrolled in school or employed, prompting authorities to obtain search warrants and raid the apartments, after the occupants reportedly refused to open their doors.

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During the raid, one suspect allegedly attempted to escape by climbing over a balcony, while another was discovered hiding on a bathroom floor, sending warning messages to the other apartments.

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Police recovered 18 mobile phones, three laptops, and three bank passbooks during the operation, with some of the phones still active in conversations with scam victims.

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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.

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

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The six suspects are facing initial charges, including illegal association and immigration overstay, with additional fraud and romance scam charges expected to be filed.