Connect with us

Crime

PHOTOS: Thailand Police arrest 11 Nigerians over alleged international romance scam

Published

on

Thai immigration and police authorities have arrested 11 Nigerians following the dismantling of a suspected international romance scam syndicate operating in the Muang Thong Thani area of Thailand.

The arrests were carried out on Monday during a joint operation and were reported on Thursday by local news platform Thailand News. The operation followed months of investigation triggered by a complaint filed in late 2025 by a Thai woman in Nong Khai, who alleged she was defrauded through an online romantic relationship.

According to the report, the victim said she met a Facebook user who presented himself as a Chinese engineer. After gaining her trust through prolonged communication on Facebook and Line, the suspect allegedly claimed he was unable to access funds needed for a construction project and persuaded her to transfer more than two million baht into several mule accounts.

Police said financial tracking led to the identification of Thai account holders involved in the transactions, after which investigators uncovered a wider, organised criminal network. The syndicate was reportedly operating from a condominium in Nonthaburi, with members assigned distinct roles such as online scammers, cash withdrawers, and account recruiters.

Based on intelligence gathered, the Immigration Bureau Commissioner, Pol Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyaluck, ordered a coordinated raid on the location. Officers reportedly found the suspects actively engaging in online romance scams using computers and mobile phones at the time of the operation.

A total of 13 suspects—11 Nigerians and two Ivorians—were arrested. Some of the suspects allegedly attempted to flee but were apprehended by operatives.

Authorities disclosed that eight of the suspects had overstayed their visas, while five Nigerians were said to have entered Thailand illegally through the Laos border. The suspects were charged with immigration-related offences, including visa overstay and illegal entry.

See also  PHOTOS: Angry villagers protest as herdsmen k!ll Catholic choirmaster, father and son in Benue

During the raid, officers seized 34 electronic devices, including laptops and mobile phones, which reportedly contained evidence of coordinated online scams involving impersonation of wealthy European and Asian nationals to defraud Thai and foreign women.

Investigators also said they uncovered links between the suspects and the Nong Khai complaint, as well as evidence suggesting that proceeds from the alleged scams were transferred to Nigeria through cryptocurrency channels. Police noted that investigations are ongoing to dismantle the wider network and identify additional accomplices.

The arrests came just a week after another Nigerian was apprehended in Thailand over alleged drug-related offences. PUNCH Metro reported that a Thailand-based Nigerian, Ukoma Jefta Nuzbech, was arrested after allegedly fleeing an ongoing trial linked to a drug-peddling case in the Koh Pha Ngan area.

He was first arrested in March 2025 for allegedly selling 25.71 grams of cocaine to an undercover police officer.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Rape, manslaughter trial: Five witnesses testify against Odogwu Asaba

Published

on

The prosecution on Wednesday presented five witnesses and video evidence at the trial of content creator Ifeanyi Ogbonna, popularly known as Odogwu Asaba, over alleged rape and manslaughter in connection with the death of 20-year-old Favour Agbro.

The witnesses included Agbro’s twin sister, brother and father, the doctor who conducted the post-mortem examination, and an investigating police officer. The case is being heard by the Delta State High Court in Asaba.

However, the defence counsel requested more time to study the statements of the prosecution witnesses and the additional evidence served on the defence.

Speaking after the proceedings, the prosecution said it was prepared to proceed with the case but acknowledged the need to allow the defence adequate time to examine the materials.

The prosecution team was led by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Omamuzo Erebe, SAN, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions, Tejiri Anuhwin, and other state counsel.

Ogbonna had pleaded not guilty to the charges on October 21, 2026, before Justice Michael Nduka Obi. The allegations relate to Agbro’s death in June 2026.

The court adjourned the case until November 19, 2026, for the continuation of the trial, when the prosecution is expected to proceed with its witnesses and evidence.

Recall that the court had remanded the content creator at the Ogwashi-Uku Maximum Correctional Centre after he was arrested and arraigned following allegations of raping Agbro, who later died after ingesting a toxic substance.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

WHATSAPP CHANNEL

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

See also  PHOTOS: Troops arrest two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers in Borno, recover terrorists’ gate pass
Continue Reading

Crime

Police arrest fake lawyer after 11 years of practice in Ebonyi

Published

on

The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a man, Ugwumba Enyinnaya, for allegedly impersonating a lawyer and practising for more than 11 years.

The state Police Public Relations Officerzz, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the arrest followed an investigation into a petition alleging obtaining money by false pretence.

According to the police, the suspect allegedly collected ₦650,000 from one Chukwu David in March 2026 to facilitate the processing and approval of a street naming in Ohaozara Local Government Area.

The petitioner alleged that Enyinnaya presented himself as a lawyer with years of legal experience.

The police said investigations following his arrest revealed that he had been parading himself as a legal practitioner despite not being a lawyer.

During interrogation, the suspect admitted that he was not a lawyer, according to the statement.

“A search of his apartment led to the recovery of several exhibits, including a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal; a portrait of the suspect dressed in barrister’s regalia; purported Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree certificates for the suspect bearing the name of Enugu State University of Science and Technology; a barrister’s robe and wig; judgements allegedly procured from the court and various legal documents allegedly prepared by him, including powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance,” the statement said.

The police said the suspect had been charged to court.

The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Okafor, commended the operatives for uncovering the alleged impersonation and urged members of the public to verify the credentials of people offering legal services.

See also  Air Force officers beat Lagos driver dead after minor crash

She also advised residents to report suspicious activities to the police.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

WHATSAPP CHANNEL

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Crime

Lagos driver fleeing police arrest kills okada rider, injures two

Published

on

A  yet-to-be-identified motorcycle operator has been killed, and two others injured, after a speeding driver, allegedly fleeing police officers, knocked down three motorcycle riders on Liasu Road in the Idimu area of Lagos State.

The incident occurred on Saturday night during a police chase involving a vehicle suspected to belong to Internet fraudsters.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle while attempting to escape from the pursuing officers and knocked down the three motorcycle riders in the process.

One of the riders was said to have died on the spot, while the two others sustained injuries.

It was gathered that the driver and other occupants of the vehicle abandoned it and fled after realising what had happened.

An eyewitness who gave his name simply as Wahab said the vehicle was being chased from the Ile-Iwe end of the road towards the Council bus stop.

He said, “They were coming from the Ile-Iwe side when police officers in a minibus tried to stop them. It was in the process that they increased their speed and drove recklessly.

“It was when the driver lost control that he ran into the okada riders. The one directly hit died on the spot, and the driver and other male adults in the vehicle ran out of the vehicle and fled.”

The vehicle was subsequently towed to the nearest police station, while the injured victims were taken to a nearby hospital.

The incident, however, sparked a protest by commercial motorcycle riders operating along Powerline and Liasu roads, as they stopped conveying passengers to demand justice for their colleagues.

See also  PHOTOS: Nigerian Navy intercepts three stowaways off Lagos coast

According to another resident, Titi Jayeoba, the protest left several residents stranded as they struggled to find alternative means of transportation.

“We were stranded on Sunday after the okada riders refused to operate. People who depend on motorcycles to get to church and other places were stranded. The tricycles available could not carry everybody, so many people found it difficult to get to their destinations.

“And some were not even interested in tricycles because they would not take them into their streets,” Jayeoba stated.

It was gathered that normalcy had since returned to the area after the motorcycle operators resumed operations later in the evening.

The deceased victim was also said to have been buried according to Islamic rites.

When contacted on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said she was not aware of the incident. She, however, promised to revert.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

WHATSAPP CHANNEL

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Trending