PHUKET: Three expats have been arrested and accused of likely ATM fraud in Bangkok, Pattaya and on Phuket over the Songkran New Year holiday.
The men, presented to Phuket media by the Phuket Tourist Police in Phuket City today, are accused of overstaying visas, ATM fraud and possession of illegal drugs.
The men were named as Mhousisin Mahamond, 22, and Ganzouai Zaidi, 29, of France, and Adjemi Ramzi, 31, of Tunisia.
Phuket Tourist Police and Royal Thai Police had been keeping watch on the men for three days after advice from Bangkok that the three, who had been spotted behaving suspiciously in Bangkok and Pattaya, were on Phuket.
In a raid that saw the three men arrested, officers also took possession of 70 fake electronic ATM cards, a computer notebook, 7.5 grams of marijuana, 6000 euros and 134,000 baht.
Police estimated that with an upward limit of 200,000 baht per card, the men could potentially have stolen 14 million baht.
The men, presented to Phuket media by the Phuket Tourist Police in Phuket City today, are accused of overstaying visas, ATM fraud and possession of illegal drugs.
The men were named as Mhousisin Mahamond, 22, and Ganzouai Zaidi, 29, of France, and Adjemi Ramzi, 31, of Tunisia.
Phuket Tourist Police and Royal Thai Police had been keeping watch on the men for three days after advice from Bangkok that the three, who had been spotted behaving suspiciously in Bangkok and Pattaya, were on Phuket.
In a raid that saw the three men arrested, officers also took possession of 70 fake electronic ATM cards, a computer notebook, 7.5 grams of marijuana, 6000 euros and 134,000 baht.
Police estimated that with an upward limit of 200,000 baht per card, the men could potentially have stolen 14 million baht.
When I came to Thailand in 2006 I had problems with my ATM card and after extensive investigations I was told that the reason it was not working as Thailand's ATM only use the magnetic strip for verification not the chip. So my bank disabled the chip. Therefore unless this has changed Thailand will always attract ATM fraud. Also many Thais do not sign their cards making it easier for a thief to use as signature is still an option in Thailand, unlike for example in the UK where in shops you need your PIN Number. The problem is so bad if you book with Qantas in London or Singapore etc you can pay online where as if you book in Thailand you have to show your card in Bangkok. They therefore believe it is worth losing many customers compared to fraud. Who is going to travel for example from Phuket to Bangkok to show their card, very few. Please Thailand if you have not already upgraded please do so and educate your people to sign all cards immediately.
Posted by Chirpy Farang on April 15, 2013 12:55