Bangkok: CIB police have apprehended a 20-year-old LGBTQ+ man, Mr. Phontep, who orchestrated a fraudulent recruitment scheme, deceiving Thai individuals into believing they would be employed in the Canadian agricultural sector. The suspect allegedly absconded with approximately 50 million baht and demanded an additional 5,000 baht from victims for the return of their passports.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Phontep was detained on charges of 'jointly defrauding and jointly deceiving others that they can find work abroad' at the Soi Chom Thong 12 Market, located in the Bang Kho Subdistrict of Chom Thong District, Bangkok. The fraudulent operation involved the establishment of a tourism company offering visa services, which advertised job opportunities in Canada's agricultural industry. Victims were charged a fee ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 baht, under the pretense that failure to pay promptly would result in visa cancellation, prompting many to make advance payments.
Upon the anticipated delivery of documents and plane tickets, Mr. Phontep became unreachable, shuttered the company, and absconded with a sum of 40-50 million baht. He initially fled to Laos before returning to Thailand, where the police apprehended him. Despite his arrest, Mr. Phontep denied the allegations, claiming he was deceived into registering the company.
Approximately 250-300 victims have reported the fraudulent activities to the Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station. In March 2025, these individuals were contacted by the employment agency, which demanded 5,000 baht for the return of their passports. Some victims, fearing misuse of their documents, complied with the demand, while others struggled to raise the funds, having already mortgaged or pawned assets to cover the expenses for overseas employment. Tragically, two victims succumbed to stress and took their own lives.