Victim of Scam

[12Call]

but what if the scammer loses face ?

[Mr Earl]

^I suspect the property owner would be concerned about loosing face by having their house to be used to perpetrate the fraud.

[EmperorTud]

fake documentation is taken very seriously in thailand

Arse it is. It is used all the time and only punished when someone influential loses money or face.

Seriously? Please.

[kingwilly]

fake documentation is taken very seriously in thailand

Arse it is. It is used all the time and only punished when someone influential loses money or face.

Seriously? Please.

Yes. Do you recall the farangs that got 8 years jail for trying to adjust a travellers cheque from nine dollars to ninety?

[EmperorTud]

Yes. Do you recall the farangs that got 8 years jail for trying to adjust a travellers cheque from nine dollars to ninety?

A large percentage of the land in Thailand is owned under false documentation. Look at the shitehole Samui FFS.

So they threw another foreigner to the wolves for forging a traveller's cheque. Merely highlights the system in Thailand is broken beyond repair under the current tyranny of Feudalism. Making scapegoats of the foreigners while far worse Thai criminals enjoy institutionalised protection is a fact of life here.

[kingwilly]

Sorry to interupt you while you're on your soapbox, but my comment stands, forgery is a serious crime in thailand, just because Samui has some serious high level corruption does not negate that.

[Stinky]

In reality it's only a crime for the poor and Farangs in Thailand.

[Jimmu]

E-mailed HB as well! No reply... Last week was good as I found a nice place anyway.

As for the thread. Move on and don't try to mix it with the Thais. You will not win!

[Mr Earl]

As for the thread. Move on and don't try to mix it with the Thais. You will not win!

Generally this is good advice.

This situation depends on the how the actual owner of the property stands regarding the fraud as they're really the ones who can help file charges against the scamming cnut.
Contrary to popular thai forum innuendo most Thai people tend to be honest.

[giggs]

As for the thread. Move on and don't try to mix it with the Thais. You will not win!

a very highly intellegient ...and astute post..nice to see

[aussiedoug]

To the OP, if you are prepared to punt another 45,000 on getting the scammer dealt with, then paying of some copper is small change, so I would go there first.
The law(or lack of it) is usual in countries where the cops are too lazy and corrupt, so it's not a solely thai problem. The owner of the house is pleading ignorance, maybe true, but will not give a hoot unless they loose some money, at this stage they have not, so no help from them will be forthcoming.

[brituser]

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.

Based on my own experiences I would say, take a deep breath and move on. You will never see that money.

As for retribution - not worth it. Remember that your life is worth less than 5,000 baht if you really upset someone.

Next time you do a financial exchange with a Thai person be really smart and check everything carefully, get ID cards etc.

I agree with one of the replies that the police will do nothing for you - nor will the courts unless you have a perfect chain of proof. Good luck.

[kingwilly]

Remember that your life is worth less than 5,000 baht if you really upset someone.

Oft quoted, never proved, I suspect that this one is an old wives tale.

Next time you do a financial exchange with a any person be really smart and check everything carefully, get ID cards etc.

good advice this one, slight change made

[Bobcock]

How will people ever get justice if they walk away each time without trying?

I know many foreigners here who've won disputes.

Go see the Police and at least find out if they will be disinterested rather than just listen to people telling you they will be.

At least you will have tried.

[kingwilly]

yes yes yes.,

But Chitown said that the police would never help!

[Bung]

This is the oldest trick in the book here, stall you for a couple of months and hope it goes away by then. If it comes back just do the same thing again and again.

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.

[12Call]

maybe some acid throwing could be called for well prior to Songkran.

[barbaro]

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.

If what you're saying is true, why would you put down such a large deposit, even on a very large and grand house.

If true, the "real" owner may even be a part of the scam.

[Muadib]

maybe some acid throwing could be called for well prior to Songkran.

Possibly a bit excessive, but I agree with the sentiment... I don't take being scammed very well and there would be some form of retribution...Whether through legal channels or not...