Tricks to trick people into buying 'miracle' coconut oil in Thailand

Tourists report to Pattaya police after being tricked into paying in euros instead of Thai baht. Photo: Khaosod .

Khaosod reported that tourist Nadir Altaf (52 years old, German nationality) filed a complaint at the Pattaya City Police Station (Thailand). He was tricked by a foreigner (unknown nationality) into paying 4,000 euros, instead of 4,000 baht (equivalent to 107 euros), for herbal coconut oil.

Nadir told police that while walking around Pattaya, he was approached by a foreign man of Middle Eastern appearance who offered him herbal coconut oil, which he claimed had miraculous powers to help hair grow.

Interested in the product, the male tourist followed the seller to a nearby store and agreed to buy 5 bottles.

The seller quoted a price of "4,000" without specifying the currency. Mr. Nadir assumed it was 4,000 baht and proceeded to pay.

However, when he swiped his credit card, he was charged 4,000 euros. As soon as he discovered he had been scammed, he immediately reported the incident.

Bottles of coconut oil are advertised as a "miracle drug". Photo: The Thaiger.

Lieutenant Phupha Hongyakul, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Pattaya City Police Station, received the complaint and asked the investigator to clarify the case.

He said similar incidents happen frequently in the area, but some victims do not report them. When complaints are received, authorities usually work with stores to request refunds.

"We have raided and arrested scam groups many times, but this situation still recurs, affecting Pattaya's tourism image," said Lieutenant Phupha.

Walking Street in Pattaya is a famous tourist attraction. Photo: SCMP.

Just days earlier, an Australian tourist had encountered a similar situation at the Baywalk shopping district. He was lured into buying two bottles of “miracle herbal medicine” for 13,500 baht. However, an online search revealed that the actual product cost less than 100 baht. The victim then reported it to the police.

In September, an Indian tourist was also scammed at the same store, paying 24,175 baht for four bottles of oil. He was refunded, but the store threatened to sue for “damaging its reputation”.

Local news agencies are calling on authorities to take stronger action against this new type of scam, as it is tarnishing the image of Pattaya tourism.

Source: https://znews.vn/thu-doan-lua-mua-dau-dua-than-duoc-o-thai-lan-post1602894.html