Thai immigration and police authorities have arrested 11 Nigerians following the takedown of a suspected international romance scam ring operating in Muang Thong Thani, Thailand.
The arrests, conducted on Monday during a joint operation, were reported on Thursday by local news outlet Thailand News.
The crackdown came after months of investigation prompted by a complaint filed in late 2025 by a Thai woman in Nong Khai, who claimed she had been defrauded through an online romantic relationship.
The victim stated that she met a Facebook user posing as a Chinese engineer.
“After gaining her trust through prolonged communication on Facebook and Line, the suspect allegedly claimed he was unable to access funds needed for a construction project and persuaded her to transfer more than two million baht into several mule accounts,” the report said.
Police investigations traced the financial transactions, which led to the identification of Thai account holders involved, and eventually uncovered a larger, organized criminal network.
The syndicate was reportedly operating from a condominium in Nonthaburi, with members assigned specific roles, including online scammers, cash withdrawers, and account recruiters.
Based on intelligence gathered, Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyaluck ordered a coordinated raid at the location. Officers reportedly found the suspects actively engaged in online romance scams on computers and mobile phones during the operation.
A total of 13 individuals, 11 Nigerians and two Ivorians, were apprehended. Some allegedly tried to escape but were captured by authorities.
Authorities revealed that eight of the suspects had overstayed their visas, while five Nigerians were said to have entered Thailand illegally through the Laos border.
The suspects were charged with immigration-related offences, including visa overstay and illegal entry.
During the raid, officers seized 34 electronic devices, including laptops and mobile phones, which reportedly contained evidence of coordinated online scams.
The suspects allegedly impersonated wealthy European and Asian nationals to defraud Thai and foreign women.
Investigators also reported finding links between the suspects and the Nong Khai complaint, as well as evidence suggesting that the proceeds from the scams were being transferred to Nigeria via cryptocurrency channels. Police added that investigations are ongoing to dismantle the broader network and identify further accomplices.
These arrests occurred just a week after another Nigerian was apprehended in Thailand over alleged drug offences.
The PUNCH reported that Thailand-based Nigerian Ukoma Jefta Nuzbech was arrested after allegedly fleeing an ongoing trial linked to a drug-peddling case in Koh Pha Ngan. He was first detained in March 2025 for allegedly selling 25.71 grams of cocaine to an undercover police officer.
