PHUKET: A scam that allows thieves to steal new motorcycles by using an outdated passport has been encountered on Samui, prompting a warning to Phuket and Krabi bike hirers.
Krabi restaurant proprietor Jurgen Weber, speaking on behalf of the Samui hiring business, said two Russians turned up at the hiring business, claiming to rent the motorcycle on behalf of a friend.
The friend's passport was produced and left as collateral in exchange for the new red 150cc Honda PCX.
The motorcycle was hired for two days on February 2 - and never returned, Mr Weber said.
''I went to our local immigration here in Krabi because I realised that the passport had already expired in 2013,'' he said.
''The immigration checked the details and informed me that the person named in the passport had entered Thailand in 2012 and left the country in 2012.
''Either the passport had been stolen after the person left the country or a second possibility - they use this method to steal motorbikes by intention.''
The passport was in the name of Vasily Nagovitsyn. The hirers, paying off the motorcycle in installments, still have to pay for the stolen bike.
Krabi restaurant proprietor Jurgen Weber, speaking on behalf of the Samui hiring business, said two Russians turned up at the hiring business, claiming to rent the motorcycle on behalf of a friend.
The friend's passport was produced and left as collateral in exchange for the new red 150cc Honda PCX.
The motorcycle was hired for two days on February 2 - and never returned, Mr Weber said.
''I went to our local immigration here in Krabi because I realised that the passport had already expired in 2013,'' he said.
''The immigration checked the details and informed me that the person named in the passport had entered Thailand in 2012 and left the country in 2012.
''Either the passport had been stolen after the person left the country or a second possibility - they use this method to steal motorbikes by intention.''
The passport was in the name of Vasily Nagovitsyn. The hirers, paying off the motorcycle in installments, still have to pay for the stolen bike.
I doubt many of the thousands of bikes for rent are actually registered. Otherwise should be difficult for thieves to cash them in.
Posted by Jakub on February 27, 2014 15:02