Thailand Law Library

by Thailand Lawyer

Romance scams pose a serious threat to foreigners in Thailand, exploiting emotional connections for financial gain. These scams target individuals seeking love, whether through an online dating platform, with someone they met in person, or even via Thai matchmaking services.

Thai Romance Scam Methods

Scammers cultivate relationships with victims by lying about their personal histories, employment status, family life, marital status, and other personal details. If operating online, they may even use fake profiles and photos to trick victims. 

Their goal is to build the victim’s trust and affection, creating an emotional bond that ultimately makes the victim more susceptible to manipulation. Once this connection is established, the scammer inevitably invents reasons, often financial emergencies, to exploit the victim’s emotional vulnerability for personal gain.

These requests can take various forms, including:

• Medical emergencies: The scammer may claim they need funds for urgent medical procedures for themselves or a loved one.
  
• Travel scams: When planning travel, the scammer may request money for expenses or visa fees, with no intention of following through on the travel plans.
  
• “Sextortion”: The scammer tricks the victim into sending explicit images or videos, then uses them as blackmail to extort money.
  
• Investment scams: Promises of high returns are used to pressure victims into investing in fake stocks, bonds, or Thai business ventures.
  
• Business emergencies: A fabricated story about a struggling business needing desperate financial help might be used to solicit funds from the victim.

Damages and Losses from a Romance Scam

Romance scams often have devastating effects on victims, causing not only financial loss but also emotional and legal repercussions. The following is a list of some of the damage that can occur to victims of romance scams in Thailand:

• Financial Loss: This is the most common type of loss in most cases of fraud. The emotional manipulation employed by scammers can cloud a victim’s judgment, leading them to make reckless financial decisions. These losses can range from thousands to billions of Thai baht and can affect credit scores, leaving victims in significant financial hardship.
• Emotional Distress: The emotional manipulation inherent in romance scams can have a devastating impact on a victim’s mental health and emotional well-being. Victims may experience a range of negative emotions, including shame, isolation, betrayal, depression, anxiety, and loss of trust, jeopardizing legitimate romantic relationships in the future. 
• Identity Theft: Romance scammers often seek to build a strong sense of trust and intimacy with their victims which they can use to steal personal information. Scammers may target Social Security numbers, bank account details, and other sensitive data that can be used for fraudulent activity.
• Asset Theft: Beyond monetary loss, romance scams can target a victim’s valuable possessions. Scammers may manipulate the victim into transferring ownership of property, vehicles, or inheritance money. Alternatively, they might exploit the victim’s trust to steal valuables like jewelry or electronics without their knowledge.
• Legal Trouble: If the victim is unknowingly drawn into participating in illegal activity, such as money laundering through fake investments or wire transfers to unknown accounts, they could face legal consequences. Romance scammers may exploit a victim’s emotional dependence to make them accomplices in their crimes, leaving the victim with a criminal record and potential legal repercussions.
• Social Isolation: Scammers often exploit the sense of loneliness expats and travelers experience in Thailand and employ manipulative tactics to isolate victims from their loved ones. This can involve creating a sense of distrust towards friends and family who may be skeptical of the relationship or raise concerns about the scammer’s motives. The scammer might portray themselves as the sole source of true support and affection, making the victim feel dependent and less likely to confide in others. These isolation tactics can have permanently damaging effects on the victim’s familial relationships and long-term friendships.

What to Do as the Victim of a Romance Scam

Here’s what to do if you’ve fallen victim to a romance scam in Thailand:

1. Report the Scam Immediately: Contact the Thai Tourist Police at 1155 or the Anti-Online Scam Operation Center (AOC) at 1441 to report the incident. This may allow authorities to investigate and potentially recover some lost funds.
2. Protect Your Finances: Contact your bank’s fraud department as soon as possible. Explain the situation and inquire about options for preventing further losses and the potential recovery of stolen funds.
3. Gather Evidence: Collect all evidence related to the scam, including messages, bank transfers, receipts, documents, and any details about the scammer’s online profiles or social media accounts. This evidence will be crucial for legal proceedings.
4. Seek Legal Counsel: Consult with a lawyer specializing in fraud cases in Thailand. They can advise you on your legal options, including pursuing justice against the scammer and potentially recovering your losses. Siam Legal has decades of experience in this legal field and offers expert fraud support and compassionate services to guide you through this process.