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Bill Donnell · 03-12-2009, 07:53 AM

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.

12Call · 03-12-2009, 08:16 AM

Sounds like both women are involved in the scam.

kingwilly · 03-12-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

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.

chitown · 03-12-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingwilly

start by reporting it at the local police station.

That is where the real scamming will begin.

crazy dog · 03-12-2009, 08:37 AM

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?

12Call · 03-12-2009, 08:40 AM

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

kingwilly · 03-12-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy dog

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

obviously it aint a studio apartment or bedsit.

Norton · 03-12-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

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.

kingwilly · 03-12-2009, 08:49 AM

2 or even 3 months is common also.

12Call · 03-12-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norton

Quote:

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)

Whiteshiva · 03-12-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

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.

Thetyim · 03-12-2009, 09:16 AM

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

12Call · 03-12-2009, 09:21 AM

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

crazy dog · 03-12-2009, 09:27 AM

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

12Call · 03-12-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

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 ?

DrAndy · 03-12-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

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

kingwilly · 03-12-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12Call

Quote:

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.

Blake7 · 03-12-2009, 11:37 AM

I pay 75k pm!

kingwilly · 03-12-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake7

I pay 75k pm!

Impossible!

Liar!

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

12Call · 03-12-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake7

I pay 75k pm!

as they say , you cannot take it with you.

03-12-2009, 07:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bill Donnell Khao San Road Last Online: 07-12-2009 09:06 AM Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Korat Posts: 56	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.

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03-12-2009, 08:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
12Call Thailand Expat Last Online: Today 03:00 PM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,253	Sounds like both women are involved in the scam.

03-12-2009, 08:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
crazy dog Thailand Expat Last Online: Today 01:01 PM Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,661	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?

03-12-2009, 08:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
12Call Thailand Expat Last Online: Today 03:00 PM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,253	her brother may have "Remodeled" that house previously and just made copies.

03-12-2009, 08:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
kingwilly Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 36,544	2 or even 3 months is common also.

03-12-2009, 09:16 AM	#12 (permalink)
Thetyim ssshhhhh Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mousehole Posts: 16,416	Waste of time going to the police unless you have signed documents that identify persons and details of the lease.

03-12-2009, 09:21 AM	#13 (permalink)
12Call Thailand Expat Last Online: Today 03:00 PM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,253	maybe the mobile phone/landline number is on contract so an account name/address can be traced.

03-12-2009, 09:27 AM	#14 (permalink)
crazy dog Thailand Expat Last Online: Today 01:01 PM Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,661	Yes I guess it is normal for the better off, my place is only 6k a month so it seems an awful lot

03-12-2009, 11:37 AM	#18 (permalink)
Blake7 Thailand Expat Last Online: Yesterday 07:38 PM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,426	I pay 75k pm!

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