Thai authorities have arrested six Nigerians accused of operating a sophisticated AI-powered romance scam syndicate from a luxury condominium in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
The suspects were allegedly using artificial intelligence-generated faces and fake video calls to deceive victims, mostly elderly Thai women, into fraudulent online relationships before extorting money from them through fabricated emergency and customs clearance claims.
According to Thai police, the investigation began after operatives uncovered a c0caine tr@fficking network in April and subsequently traced suspicious financial transactions to a riverside apartment complex near Phra Nangklao Bridge.
Police stormed three condominium units on May 22 after the suspects reportedly refused to open the doors. During the raid, one of the suspects allegedly attempted to flee through a balcony, while another hid inside a bathroom and sent warning text messages to accomplices.
Authorities seized 18 mobile phones, three laptops and several banking documents during the operation. Investigators disclosed that some of the confiscated devices were still logged into active scam conversations at the time of the raid.
Thai police said the syndicate posed online as pilots, United States soldiers, doctors and engineers, using AI-generated Western identities and manipulated video calls to gain the trust of victims before demanding money.
The six Nigerians were identified as Denis, 23; Ejikeme, 24; Ibekwe, 29; Okorom, 26; Nwosu, 30; and Obielu, 35.
Further details obtained by this online newspaper revealed that the suspects were allegedly operating on student visas despite reportedly neither attending school nor engaging in any legal employment in Thailand.
The suspects are currently facing immigration and illegal association charges, while authorities say additional fraud-related charges are expected to follow as investigations continue.
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