A Japanese garment exporter has accused a Thai intermediary of defrauding him of 300,000 baht with a false promise of securing a permanent visa. The exporter, Shinji Maeda, 51, also alleges that a cybercrime police officer extorted an additional 10,000 baht from him without delivering any results.
On Wednesday, Mr. Maeda filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police against the alleged fraudster. He was accompanied by social media activist Thamanat Taengtim and his secretary, Namtan Phetphatcharaprasit.
Mr. Maeda, whose company exports clothing to Japan from wholesale markets in Bo Bae and Pratunam, reported that the fraud began in 2019. At that time, he sought to obtain a permanent visa for Thailand and was referred to a Thai man known only as Tong by his accounting firm. Tong assured him that he could facilitate the visa application, leading Mr. Maeda to make several payments.
In 2020, Tong claimed that the process was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, two years later, Tong requested additional funds, asserting that the visa application was still progressing. Over this period, Mr. Maeda transferred a total of more than 300,000 baht to Tong’s account in amounts ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 baht.
Suspecting fraud, Mr. Maeda consulted a friend earlier this year, who led him to believe that Tong had deceived him. He first reported the case to Phetkasem police station, accusing Tong of fraud. He subsequently lodged a second complaint with the cybercrime police in Muang Thong Thani.
At this point, a police officer suggested Mr. Maeda have Tong sign a loan contract to shift the case from a criminal to a civil matter, which might facilitate the return of his funds. The officer requested 5,000 baht for “coffee expenses” and borrowed another 5,000 baht from Mr. Maeda. Despite these payments, no progress was made in the case.
The CSD police stated they will review the evidence and interview Mr. Maeda and other witnesses to further investigate the allegations.
