BANGKOK, Aug 8 (TNA) – A group of over 300 victims, collectively defrauded of more than 24 million baht, are pleading for justice after a fraudulent tour company left them empty-handed and facing threats.
According to one of the victims, a motorcycle parts manufacturer, the company had purchased a group tour to Hokkaido, Japan, as a year-end bonus for their employees. However, just days before their scheduled departure, the tour operator claimed the trip was canceled due to the company’s involvement in a legal dispute with another travel agency.
Further investigation revealed that the company was not affiliated with the other agency and was, in fact, a fraudulent operation.
In total, over 200 victims have been duped by the company’s tour scam, with total losses exceeding 14 million baht ($400,000). The company was also found to be operating a separate scheme, luring Thai workers to countries like South Korea, the UK, and the US with tourist visas, defrauding around 80 victims of over 10 million baht ($285,000).
Despite filing a police report with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) eight months ago, the victims claim that there has been no significant progress in the case. To make matters worse, they have received threats from individuals connected to the suspect, warning them against speaking to the media or pursuing legal action.
The victims have now turned to the media to appeal to government agencies for assistance in locating the suspect and his associates, and recovering their lost funds. They have offered a reward of 1 million baht to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of the suspects and the return of the stolen money. -819 (TNA)
