23/05/2026
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23/05/2026
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BANGKOK, May 23: Thai police have arrested six Nigerian nationals in Nonthaburi following a raid on a luxury riverside condominium, accusing them of running a romance scam network that allegedly used AI-generated identities and fake online profiles to defraud victims into transferring money.
The operation, codenamed “Dark Room Crackdown,” was carried out on May 22 at a condominium near Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Bang Kraso, Muang district, after police obtained warrants from the Nonthaburi Provincial Court. Officers searched three rooms and forced entry after the suspects reportedly refused to open their doors.
According to police, six men aged between 23 and 35 were arrested. Five were found to have overstayed their visas for periods ranging from 695 to 1,560 days, while the sixth suspect’s immigration status is still being verified. The suspects were identified as Denis (23), Ejikeme (24), Ibekwe (29), Okorom (26), Nwosu (30), and Obielu (35).
Investigators said the case began with a separate drug investigation in April, when a Nigerian man identified as Patrick and three associates were arrested on cocaine trafficking charges, with authorities seizing assets worth 2.5 million baht. A subsequent financial probe allegedly led police to the suspected scam network operating from the condominium units.
During the raid, officers seized 18 mobile phones, three laptops and three bank passbooks. Police said the devices contained active romance scam conversations, scripted messages, and AI-generated profile images used to impersonate Western professionals.
Authorities allege the suspects posed as pilots, US military officers, doctors and engineers to build online relationships with victims, primarily older Thai women, before convincing them to send money under the pretext of customs fees for blocked or valuable packages. Investigators added that the network relied on emotionally manipulative chat scripts and AI-generated faces to conduct fake video calls.
Police said the operation remains under investigation, with additional fraud and cybercrime charges expected alongside immigration violations and illegal association offences.
