SIX NIGERIANS ARRESTED IN THAILAND OVER ROMANCE SCAM NETWORK

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

Thai police have arrested six Nigerian nationals during a raid on a luxury condominium in Nonthaburi province.

The suspects are accused of running a romance-scam network that allegedly defrauded victims into transferring money.

According to Thai media outlet The Nation Thailand, on Saturday, the operation, codenamed “Dark Room Crackdown,” was carried out on Thursday at a riverside condominium near Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Bang Kraso, Muang district, following investigations into foreign criminal networks linked to suspicious financial transactions.

Officers searched three rooms under warrants issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court, The Nation Thailand reported.

“Police seized 18 mobile phones, three laptop computers, and three bank books. Investigators said the devices contained alleged romance-scam chats, scam scripts, and AI-generated profile images,” The Nation Thailand reported.

The suspects — Denis, 23; Ejikeme, 24; Ibekwe, 29; Okorom, 26; Nwosu, 30; and Obielu, 35 — were arrested during the operation.

Five of the six were found to have overstayed their visas by between 695 and 1,560 days, according to The Nation Thailand.

Another Thai outlet, Thai PBS World, reported that police said the suspects were living together in the condominium despite holding student visas, with no evidence of attending classes or holding regular employment.

“Police said that the six Nigerians entered Thailand on student visas, but none of them went to any college here, nor do they have any jobs, but their bank accounts show substantial deposits,” Thai PBS World reported.

During the raid, some suspects allegedly refused to open their doors, forcing officers to break in.

One suspect reportedly attempted to escape via a balcony, while another was found hiding in a bathroom attempting to alert others through text messages.

According to The Nation Thailand, investigators said the group posed as foreign professionals—including pilots, soldiers, lawyers, engineers, and doctors—using fake identities across platforms such as Facebook Messenger, WeChat, TikTok, Line, and Zalo.

The alleged scheme involved building romantic relationships with victims before claiming that an overseas parcel had been held by customs and demanding payment for its release. Many victims were reportedly older Thai women.

All six suspects were taken to Rattanathibet Police Station alongside seized evidence.

They were initially charged with membership of a secret society and overstaying their permitted stay in Thailand.

Police said further charges related to romance-scam offences may follow after coordination with victims and relevant authorities.

The Nation Thailand reported that all six suspects confessed to the initial charges at the point of arrest.