Romance Scammer Cons Thai Widow Out of 500,000 Baht
A widow from Nonthaburi has filed a complaint with a justice foundation after allegedly being deceived by a man she met on a dating app, losing nearly 500,000 baht in cash and valuables.
The woman, identified as 43-year-old Manida, a lottery vendor, sought assistance on January 12 from the Foundation Campaigning to Reclaim Social Justice (CRSJ). She submitted documents to chairman Ronnarong Kaewpetch, claiming she had been defrauded by a man she dated for more than two years.
Manida said she had been living alone since her husband passed away several years ago and longed for companionship. In July 2023, she joined the dating app Omi, where she met a man who introduced himself as Chawalit, 47, claiming to be an engineer and a graduate of a well-known university.
The two developed a relationship, during which Manida said she covered all expenses. Over the course of two years, she allegedly supported him financially, including allowing him to use her credit card.
In June 2024, Chawalit visited her home as he normally did. While Manida went upstairs to shower before heading to work, he told her he was going out briefly. When she returned downstairs, she discovered that nine gold-framed Buddhist amulets — cherished heirlooms belonging to her late husband — were missing. Some of the amulets were said to be highly valuable.
Manida said she confronted Chawalit, who allegedly brushed off her concerns and promised to repay her, but never did. She later discovered that he was not an engineer as claimed, but a flower vendor working at a local market.
She filed a complaint at Plai Bang Police Station in Nonthaburi, but said there has been no progress in the case, prompting her to seek help from the justice foundation.
Ronnarong stated that the case involves theft from a private residence, an offence punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 20,000 baht, and one that cannot be settled out of court. He added that while money or items given voluntarily may be difficult to reclaim legally, the removal of property belonging to the victim’s deceased husband clearly constituted a criminal act.
He also criticised the suspect for allegedly deceiving the victim by posing as a successful professional. According to MGR Online, the foundation will assist in pushing the case forward and urged the public to exercise caution when using dating apps, warning that similar romance scam cases continue to be reported.
