Unsuspecting foreigners are frequently targeted by citizenship and passport scams in Thailand. Scammers prey on their lack of familiarity with immigration and nationality laws, falsely promising to procure them government-issued passports or Thai citizenship. Instead, victims often receive counterfeit documents or nothing at all, leaving them vulnerable to severe legal consequences and financial loss.
What are Passport and Citizenship Scams in Thailand?
Passport scammers target individuals looking to bypass strict immigration rules or lengthy processing times and those unfamiliar with Thai immigration and citizenship application processes. They claim to be able to provide genuine, government-issued passports or register citizenship for foreigners in Thailand.
These fraudsters sometimes create fake, realistic-looking passport books that can be used for illegal activities including unlawful immigration, identity theft, and financial fraud. For victims who are unaware that their document is fraudulent, this could lead to serious legal consequences when they try to use their passport for international travel.
Alternatively, criminals may request large sums of money to process a passport or citizenship application and then disappear, leaving the victim to realize they’ve been conned out of their hard-earned funds.
Scammers frequently promote their fast-track citizenship or passport “services” on social media and networking sites like Facebook groups, Line chats, and other platforms, as well as on independently run websites and even billboards. They may request payment in digital cryptocurrency due to its minimal tracking. However, some scammers may also accept cash payments or bank transfers.
Once victims make initial payments, scammers may continue to demand additional funds for various reasons such as processing fees, expediting fees, government taxes, or bribes.
The Thai Metropolitan Police have urged the public to exercise caution when applying for passports and citizenship, emphasizing that all individuals applying for Thai citizenship must meet the standard requirements. To avoid falling victim to these scams, it’s important to verify the authenticity of any individual or business offering passport or citizenship processing services.
Real Cases of Passport and Citizenship Scams in Thailand
Every year, authorities catch criminals defrauding foreigners out of millions of Thai baht for fake travel and identity documents. The following are real examples of passport and citizenship scams in Thailand:
Fake Foreign Passport Scam
In a 2024 case, a Russian gang leader was apprehended in Bangkok for orchestrating a passport forgery operation. The gang claimed that they were able to obtain legitimate, legally obtained passports from 15 different countries in exchange for digital currency payment. They ran advertisements across multiple social networking apps and a fraudulent website, even registering a company in Thailand to add credibility to their operation.
Instead of providing government-issued passports, the gang imported counterfeit passports from the Dominican Republic. Some victims received these fake documents while some never received anything. Victims believed they were paying for a reliable immigration service and were ultimately scammed out of a reported 30 million THB.
Thai Passport and Citizenship Scam
In another example, a Thai man was arrested in Bangkok for offering a Thai passport to a foreigner for a “processing fee” of 600,000 THB, with an expediting fee of 1.3 million THB. After the victim remitted the payment, the scammer stopped responding to his efforts to get in contact. The victim then realized he had been conned and reported the fraud to authorities.
After arrest, the scammer admitted to running an illegal business even before the COVID-19 pandemic. He claimed to be able to obtain Thai citizenship for foreigners who did not meet the legal requirements for citizenship, charging 2.5 million THB per person for the fake service.
What to Do if You’re the Victim of a Fake Passport Scam
For those who fall victim to a fake passport or citizenship scam, the consequences can be serious. Victims often lose thousands to millions of Thai baht, and may even face arrest, deportation, or legal charges if they unknowingly committed a criminal act. Furthermore, because their travel documents are fake, they could find themselves unable to travel home.
For foreigners who believe they have been scammed, it’s important to take immediate action to potentially recover losses and protect against legal consequences. To move on from a passport and citizenship scam, take the following steps:
- Stop Communications: Immediately cease all contact with the scammers.
- Document Everything: Gather all relevant evidence, including contracts, bank transfer records, photos, emails, and messages.
- Freeze Your Accounts: Contact the bank to report the fraudulent transactions and place a freeze on accounts to prevent further financial loss.
- Report the Scam: Contact Thailand’s Anti-Online Scam Operation Center (AOC) at their 24/7 hotline at 1441 or the Tourist Police at 1155 to inform them of the scam.
- Seek Legal Counsel: Consult with an attorney specializing in fraud cases to learn about foreigners’ legal options and rights in a scam case.
Reliable Fraud and Immigration Lawyers in Thailand
Siam Legal International is a full-service law firm with a team of legal experts specializing in fraud and immigration cases. We understand the financial impact passport and citizenship scams can have on one’s life and finances. Our dedicated specialists provide personalized support to help victims recover their losses and move forward from the scam. We will:
- Explain the legal implications of the scam and any resulting legal rights.
- Explore options to recover financial losses.
- Defend victims against criminal charges.
- Represent victims in legal proceedings against scammer(s).
- Prepare genuine visa or citizenship applications following all relevant immigration laws and procedures.
To learn more about how our Thailand-based legal team can assist with asset recovery, litigation, and immigration application processes, please reach out to Siam Legal today.
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