Bangkok student told to stage “bloody” kidnapping by scammers
Bangkok police rescued a university student who was allegedly manipulated by call-centre scammers into isolating himself, transferring 36,000 baht (around S$1,370), and staging his own kidnapping to extort more money from his parents.
The scammers even instructed him to smear a mixture of red syrup and coffee on himself and the walls of his rented room to mimic blood.
Scammers claim student linked to money laundering
The ordeal began on Friday (16 Oct), when the student received a call from someone claiming to represent a mobile network provider.
The caller alleged that the student’s 13-digit national ID number had been used to register a phone line linked to online fraud and money laundering.
Source: Matichon
To make the story more convincing, the caller also correctly recited his full ID number.
The call was subsequently transferred to an accomplice posing as a police investigator.
The student was also told to continue communicating through a Telegram chat named “Interrogation Room”.
Under pressure and threats of legal action, he eventually transferred S$1,370 to the scammers, who claimed they needed to check the money as part of an investigation, according to ThaiPBS.
Student also told to cut contact with family
After obtaining the money, the scammers also instructed the student to leave his usual accommodation and rent a room elsewhere in Bangkok.
Source: Matichon
He was also told to switch off his main phone number and obtain a new SIM card, effectively cutting him off from family and friends.
The scammers then tricked him into handing over a LINE verification code, allowing them to gain access to his messaging account.
Told to fake scholarship and kidnapping
Once the student had no money left, the scammers allegedly turned their attention to his parents.
They instructed him to claim that he had received an overseas scholarship but needed between 200,000 and 300,000 baht (approximately between S$7,600 and S$11,400) for related expenses.
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The gang further pressured his family by instructing him to fake being assaulted and held captive.
He was told to mix red syrup with coffee and smear it on his body and walls to resemble blood.
Parents check scholarship claim and alert police
The student’s parents became suspicious of the sudden scholarship request and contacted his university to verify it.
After learning the scholarship did not exist, they suspected their son had been scammed and contacted police.
Officers subsequently traced him to a daily rental room in Soi Satsana, in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district.
Source: Matichon
At around 6pm on 17 Oct, police entered the room while the student was on the phone with the scammers.
The callers reportedly hung up immediately after realising officers had arrived.
Police warn students about fake legal threats
Thai police warn that call-centre gangs increasingly target university students with false claims of involvement in criminal cases.
Victims may then be pressured into transferring money, isolating themselves, or handing over access to their accounts.
Authorities advised anyone receiving suspicious calls threatening legal action to hang up immediately and avoid falling victim to scams.
Also read: Girl in Thailand fakes ‘ransom’ video asking S$75K from mum, alleges she was forced by scammers
Girl in Thailand fakes ‘ransom’ video asking S$75K from mum, alleges she was forced by scammers
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Featured image adapted from Matichon.
