PHUKET, Thailand: Three individuals were arrested in Phuket on Thursday night for their alleged involvement in a romance scam and drug trafficking operation.
The raid, conducted by Tourist Police Sub-Division 3, targeted a house in the Phatcharee Thalang housing estate. Three suspects were apprehended: a 32-year-old Thai woman identified as Kanyathanat Thotsatham and two Nigerian nationals whose names remain undisclosed.
Authorities seized 50 sachets of cocaine and a digital balance from the residence. Additionally, Kanyathanat was found to be wanted on an arrest warrant for public fraud and computer crimes. The two Nigerian men had overstayed their visas by a significant margin, exceeding 1,400 and 1,700 days respectively.
According to Inspector Pol Lt Col Pitthaya Thepmuang, the investigation revealed a romance scam operating through fake Facebook accounts, targeting individuals in Thailand and tricking them into transferring money. Kanyathanat reportedly assisted the gang by withdrawing and transferring stolen funds to the leader abroad.
Both Nigerian suspects confessed to involvement in the romance scam and admitted to selling cocaine to foreign tourists as an additional source of income.
All three individuals were handed over to Thalang police station for further legal proceedings.