Thread: Victim of Scam

I rented a nice house in Bangkok. When I inquired at the house, the lady living there quoted a monthly price for rent and required a 45000 bht deposit.

I signed a one year lease and gave her the deposit. I was given the info to where to send the rent payments via ATM. Recently I noticed a sign on the house that said it was for sale with a phone number. I called the number and spoke to the real owner.

I found out that the lady I gave the deposit to and signed the lease was not the owner. The true owner said she didn't require a deposit. The lady I gave the deposit has absconded with the money and I do not have a real lease. it was a fake.I may have to move shortly when the house is sold.

I contacted the lady who ripped me off. She said she was very sorry. Her brother needed the money for a house he was remodeling. She said she would pay me back in installments starting three months from now. I don't believe her.

I do not understand Thai law. Do I have any recourse to get my money back? I am really pissed off about this.. The loss of the money has not caused me any financial difficultly. I would gladly pay another 45000 bht to extract appropriate punishment under the thai legal system.

I would appreciate any advise or suggestions.

Sounds like both women are involved in the scam.

Originally Posted by Bill Donnell

I do not understand Thai law. Do I have any recourse to get my money back? I am really pissed off about this.. The loss of the money has not caused me any financial difficultly. I would gladly pay another 45000 bht to extract appropriate punishment under the thai legal system.

start by reporting it at the local police station.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

start by reporting it at the local police station.

That is where the real scamming will begin.

never heard of any rental asking for such a large amount, at least you never bought it from somebody who was not the real owner. How did this fake woman have all the keys?

her brother may have "Remodeled" that house previously and just made copies.

Originally Posted by crazy dog

never heard of any rental asking for such a large amount,

obviously it aint a studio apartment or bedsit.

Originally Posted by crazy dog

never heard of any rental asking for such a large amount

Not uncommon to pay first month rent plus security deposit to be paid before moving in.

2 or even 3 months is common also.

Originally Posted by Norton

Originally Posted by crazy dog

never heard of any rental asking for such a large amount

Not uncommon to pay first month rent plus security deposit to be paid before moving in.

is the norm not 2 months deposit + 1 month in advance ? (maybe the deal sounded too good to be true)

Originally Posted by crazy dog

never heard of any rental asking for such a large amount

# months rent as a deposit is quite normal, which works out to 15,000 baht per month - sounds reasonable to me.

Waste of time going to the police unless you have signed documents that identify persons and details of the lease.

maybe the mobile phone/landline number is on contract so an account name/address can be traced.

Yes I guess it is normal for the better off, my place is only 6k a month so it seems an awful lot

Originally Posted by crazy dog

Yes I guess it is normal for the better off, my place is only 6k a month so it seems an awful lot

maybe the OP has a family and a couple of cars ?

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Waste of time going to the police unless you have signed documents that identify persons and details of the lease.

go meet with the woman and take a Thai speaking witness

or even a friendly local policeman

get her to sign that she will repay you, and try to get some security

Originally Posted by crazy dog

Yes I guess it is normal for the better off, my place is only 6k a month so it seems an awful lot

Originally Posted by 12Call

Originally Posted by crazy dog

Yes I guess it is normal for the better off, my place is only 6k a month so it seems an awful lot

maybe the OP has a family and a couple of cars ?

indeed. not all of thailand lives in bedsits.

some places costs even more than 15,000 baht per month. believe it or not.

I pay 75k pm!

Originally Posted by Blake7

I pay 75k pm!

Impossible!


Liar!


I know that's not true, cos Accidental Ajarn told me so!

Originally Posted by Blake7

I pay 75k pm!

as they say , you cannot take it with you.

45k in BKK for rent ? I would want the freehold for that amount in that hole

I would not go to the police as you are sure to get done for a bribe.

Go the person direct and demand collateral and do not back down.

My wife sold a piece of land to a woman. She gave Mrs. Chi 80% of the cost she was selling it for with the balance to be paid in 90 days. At the end of the 90 days and after many threatening phone calls we went to the woman's house. She said she did not have it so we took her motorbike, lap top, tv, dvd player and some gold to hold until she paid.

She must have got tired of walking because she paid it off in two weeks.

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

45k in BKK for rent ? I would want the freehold for that amount in that hole

exactly. for that much money you could buy the damn house!

Blake8 is clearly lying!

Originally Posted by chitown

I would not go to the police as you are sure to get done for a bribe.

Go the person direct and demand collateral and do not back down.

My wife sold a piece of land to a woman. She gave Mrs. Chi 80% of the cost she was selling it for with the balance to be paid in 90 days. At the end of the 90 days and after many threatening phone calls we went to the woman's house. She said she did not have it so we took her motorbike, lap top, tv, dvd player and some gold to hold until she paid.

She must have got tired of walking because she paid it off in two weeks.

dunno that I agree, taking her things means that you could be accused of being a thief, no ?

Sometimes, some of the thai police do the right thing.

She gave it all to us to get rid of us.

All the neighbors knew we were there to collect and we were not leaving until we had tangible assets in hand.

Maybe you overcharged for the land in the first place , that is why Mrs CT accepted the 80% ?