Phuket –
Phuket police have successfully apprehended a 29-year-old fraudster who had been targeting local restaurants, scamming owners out of cash under the pretense of waiting for a money transfer.
The Phuket City Police told the Phuket Express that the suspect, identified only as “Not,” had orchestrated similar scams at over 10 establishments across the island before his arrest. The incidents, which occurred in mid-April 2025, followed a repetitive pattern.
The suspect would arrive at a restaurant, order food worth approximately 300 baht, and then casually ask the owner for an additional 700 baht in cash—promising that a friend would soon transfer 1,000 baht to reimburse the amount. Trusting his claim, some restaurant owners handed over the money, only for the fraudster to use a distraction to flee on his motorcycle without repaying.
Following numerous complaints from victims, police launched an investigation and tracked the suspect’s movements. Due to his transient lifestyle—constantly renting different short-term accommodations rather than staying at his own residence—officers had to rely on surveillance and informants to locate him.
On the evening of May 1st, 2025, police received a tip-off that Not had checked into a motel near Komarapaj Road in Phuket Town. Police secured an arrest warrant issued on April 25th and proceeded to detain the suspect.
Upon questioning, Not confessed to his crimes, admitting that he had used the stolen money to purchase crystal methamphetamine for personal use. His urine test returned positive for drug consumption, leading police to press additional charges related to drug abuse.
Police instructed officers to deny bail at the station and to oppose any future bail requests, ensuring the suspect remains in custody and preventing further criminal activity.
