Thai Transwoman Busted in 50M Baht Canada Job Scam
Bangkok police have arrested a 20-year-old Thai transwoman, identified only as Pornthep, for orchestrating a massive overseas job scam that defrauded nearly 300 victims of an estimated 40 to 50 million baht. The victims were lured by promises of employment in Canada, only to be left with empty wallets and shattered dreams.
The arrest followed an investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), which took over the case after a representative of the victims approached the Pavena Foundation for Women and Children. The scam had been operating under the guise of three seemingly legitimate recruitment agencies in Soi Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok 63/1.
The Lure of a Better Life
Victims were told that lucrative jobs awaited them in Canada. Each was asked to pay an initial fee of 48,000 baht and submit their personal documents at the office. The office, according to witnesses, was lavishly decorated—a calculated move to gain the trust of applicants.
Soon after, victims were instructed to pay additional fees for airfare and “operational costs,” totaling between 85,000 and 98,000 baht per person. In total, each individual paid 150,000 to 200,000 baht, hoping to secure employment abroad. But after months of silence and delays, they discovered all three recruitment agencies had abruptly shut down.
Fake Passports and a Breakthrough
The breakthrough in the case came when police traced a fake passport, issued to one of the victims, to a hotel in Pathum Thani province. A 19-year-old man named Nattawut was arrested at the scene and found in possession of 241 counterfeit passports.
Nattawut confessed to being part of the scam and identified Pornthep as the ringleader, confirming that she had served as the director of all three agencies. He further revealed that she had fled to Laos shortly after the operation collapsed.
Arrest and Charges
On July 20, Pornthep was tracked and arrested at a market in Bangkok’s Chom Thong district after returning from Laos. She now faces multiple criminal charges:
- Fraud (Section 341 of the Criminal Code): Up to 3 years in prison, a 60,000 baht fine, or both
- Violation of the Foreign Workers’ Employment Act (Section 128): Carries a 3–10 year prison term, a 600,000 to 1 million baht fine per victim, or both
Given the scale of the scam, Pornthep could face a severe cumulative sentence if convicted on all counts.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing their investigation, focusing on the network behind the fraud, including individuals responsible for producing fake documents and laundering the stolen funds. Police have urged any other victims to come forward and file official complaints.
The case has highlighted the vulnerability of job seekers and the sophisticated methods fraudsters use to appear legitimate. The lavish office, professional documentation, and promises of foreign work created an illusion that duped even the most cautious applicants.
