An Indian businessman in Pattaya has filed a police complaint after becoming the victim of a suspected rental car scam, highlighting growing concerns about organized fraud targeting vehicle owners in the city.
Mr. Prem Kumar, 54, reported the theft of his vehicle to Lieutenant Colonel Kamol Uppakarat, Deputy Superintendent of Investigations at Pattaya City Police Station. Kumar said the loss has caused significant financial strain on his business and urged police to act quickly to recover the stolen car.
The missing vehicle, a white-and-black Toyota with license plate JPH 9160 Chonburi, was rented out to a Thai individual on July 28, 2025, with a clear agreement for its return on August 11. However, the renter disappeared and has not been reachable since.
Kumar explained, through an interpreter, that the car’s GPS tracking system was deliberately disabled, preventing him from tracing its location. He told police he believes this indicates the involvement of professional scammers rather than an isolated case of negligence.
“If the renter had honest intentions, they would have contacted me or returned the car by now,” Kumar said. “The fact that the GPS was disabled shows this was deliberate.”
Suspected Organized Scam
The businessman expressed his suspicion that the theft is part of a larger criminal operation. According to Kumar, other local car rental businesses have recently reported similar incidents where vehicles were never returned. This pattern suggests that organized groups may be systematically targeting rental car operators in Pattaya.
Rental scams are not new to the region, but the disabling of GPS systems points to an elevated level of planning and sophistication. In some cases, stolen cars are believed to be resold or moved across provincial borders, making recovery efforts more difficult.
Police Response
The Pattaya police have formally recorded Kumar’s complaint and launched an investigation. Authorities are now working to track down the missing Toyota and identify the individuals responsible.
Lieutenant Colonel Kamol confirmed that the matter is being taken seriously and that efforts are underway to trace the vehicle. However, as of now, no suspects have been publicly named.
Impact on Business Owners
Kumar said the theft has placed an enormous financial burden on his business, which relies on the rental fleet for income. He urged police to act swiftly, warning that continued scams of this nature could undermine confidence in the city’s rental industry.
For business owners, each theft represents not just the loss of a vehicle but also the loss of customer trust and the potential collapse of livelihoods. Kumar’s case adds urgency to calls for stronger protections against fraud in Thailand’s rental sector.
Ongoing Investigation
As police pursue leads, Kumar hopes his car will be recovered soon. He also called for greater cooperation among rental operators to share information and help prevent similar scams in the future.
For now, the case serves as a reminder of the risks faced by business owners in Pattaya—and the importance of vigilance when renting out vehicles in a market increasingly targeted by organized criminals.
