Three Nigerians, Thai Woman Detained Over International Romance Scam Network

Thai authorities have arrested three Nigerian nationals and a Thai woman in connection with an alleged international romance scam network operating in Pattaya, Thailand.

The arrests were made on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during a coordinated raid on a hotel in central Pattaya. The operation was carried out by tourist police and regional investigators following intelligence on suspected online fraud activities linked to cross-border financial transactions.

During the raid, officers recovered 12 mobile phones and evidence connected to 12 bank accounts believed to have been used to receive and move funds obtained from victims.

According to investigators, the suspects are part of a wider transnational fraud syndicate that uses online romance schemes to deceive individuals into transferring money. Victims are reportedly contacted through social media and dating platforms before being manipulated into sending funds to accounts controlled by members of the network.

Authorities allege that the Thai suspect, a 41-year-old woman from Chon Buri province, played a key role in the operation by sourcing bank accounts used for the scam and handling cash withdrawals and transfers. She is also said to have earned commissions from each account provided, with reports suggesting earnings of up to 30,000 baht per day.

Police further stated that funds obtained from victims were quickly moved through multiple intermediary accounts before being transferred to higher-level coordinators operating outside Thailand, including individuals based in Nigeria.

All four suspects have been handed over to Bang Lamung police for prosecution. They are facing charges under Thailand’s Technology Crime Prevention and Suppression Act, including facilitating the use of bank accounts for illegal activity and participation in an organised criminal network.

Thai authorities say investigations are ongoing as they work to identify additional members of the syndicate and trace the full financial flow of the operation, which is believed to span several countries.

The case is part of a broader crackdown on cyber-enabled fraud networks that target victims across borders using social engineering and digital platforms.