In the heartbreaking tale of deception and shattered dreams, a Thai businessman named Thian fell victim to a calculated romance scam, losing approximately 22 million baht in the process. This cautionary tale was brought to light when Thian and his wife Joei bravely appeared on the news program “Hone Krasae” to share their ordeal. The couple’s intention was not only to find a resolution but also to warn others about the dangers lurking behind online relationships.
Thian, once a thriving entrepreneur with a flourishing window-cleaning business, saw his world crumble after meeting the enigmatic Aoom at a garage on Ramkhamhaeng Road in Bangkok. Aoom was the secretary to the garage owner and seemed to have woven an irresistible charm around her persona. Captivated, Thian was soon drawn into a secretive relationship with her, which spiraled into a financial quagmire leading to his family’s bankruptcy. The remnants of his decisions haunted him as the couple shared their story with the world.
The whirlwind of deceit began with a fateful coffee shop meeting that led Thian into a web of email exchanges devoid of any phone calls or physical intimacy. Aoom, crafting a persona of grandeur, claimed her ancestry linked to royalty. Her constant excuses for needing money, such as covering funeral expenses for her brother and father, added to the layer of deception. The most tantalizing claim was that her frozen assets worth over 35 million baht could only be unlocked with Thian’s financial support, a stratagem she wielded masterfully over him.
As Thian poured money, sending at least 5,000 baht at a time into the abyss of lies, Aoom’s charade grew bolder. She spun tales of a lawsuit, which required more monetary support from Thian, who obliged without hesitation. To elevate the drama, she eventually feigned illness and assigned supposed subordinates to communicate with Thian on her behalf, deepening her fictitious royal background.
Joei, although initially oblivious to the gravity of the situation, eventually awakened to the nightmare when her husband began selling their gold necklaces and draining their bank accounts. The scammers, masquerading as high-ranking officials, assured them of inheriting immense wealth from Aoom’s supposed estate. Desperation drove them to sell everything, including luxury cars, all in hope of fulfilling the scammers’ demands.
It was their perceptive daughter who unraveled the complexities of the scam. Her curiosity led to a devastating discovery: Aoom, whose real name was Kullacha, had no ties to royalty. Instead, she hailed from the northeastern province of Yasothon. This revelation shattered any illusion of the aristocratic background Aoom had so meticulously constructed.
In a turn of events marked by bold confrontations, Thian managed to arrange a meeting with Aoom. Astonishingly, she admitted to deceiving him, unapologetically stating, “Your money took care of my son until he grew up.” This audacious admission was devoid of remorse, and Aoom returned a meager 1 million baht before severing all ties. The couple, determined to seek justice, reported the crime to the police and publicly shared their story.
The saga captured public attention, with a lawyer providing legal counsel on “Hone Krasae,” and the non-profit organization Saimai Survive pledging support to the family. As Thian and Joei navigate the aftermath of their ordeal, their story serves as a powerful reminder of the vulnerabilities within the realm of digital communication and the importance of skepticism in the face of too-good-to-be-true tales.
I can’t believe people still fall for scams like this. It’s 2023, how could someone give away that much money without meeting the person in real life?
Love makes people do irrational things. Scammers are expert manipulators, and apparently, Thian was just unlucky and too trusting.
Sure, but shouldn’t we be teaching people to verify these so-called relationships before they give away a fortune?
Educating people is good, but scammers are getting more sophisticated too. It’s like a cat and mouse game.
People underestimate how convincing these scammers can be. I’ve watched documentaries where psychologists explain how these cons work.
What a tragedy! There are so many red flags in this story, especially the never-ending excuses for needing money.
Yes, but when you’re emotionally invested, it’s easier to overlook the obvious.
Exactly, once they’re emotionally hooked, logic takes a back seat.
It’s sad, but Thian’s experience is an invaluable lesson for anyone considering entering online relationships.
That’s true. Sharing his story could help others recognize these scams before it’s too late.
Imagine deceiving someone for so long and still not feeling bad about it. Aoom seems to be completely heartless.
People like Aoom probably rationalize their actions or lack empathy entirely.
The fact that Aoom only returned 1 million baht just adds insult to injury. He literally financed her life for years!
I’m surprised how long it took for Thian and his wife to realize something was fishy.
Maybe deep down they knew, but they were clinging to hope. Humans are peculiar in that way.
Can anyone explain how someone could be deceived by a fake royal backstory? It sounds like something out of a fairy tale.
People want to believe in fairy tales, especially when times are tough. A royal connection offers a sort of fantasy escape.
Kudos to the daughter for uncovering the scam. Sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to see the truth.
Incredibly sad story. Think of all the life lessons that were missed before this happened.
I feel terrible for Joei. Discovering your spouse’s betrayal and financial ruin must be devastating.
She showed immense strength standing by him to share their story publicly. That’s true resilience.
Stories like these make you rethink the sense of security people have in digital communication.
Who is to blame here? Has anyone considered that maybe more should be done to regulate online interactions?
Thian should pursue strict legal actions against Aoom. This isn’t just fraud; it’s manipulation of the heart and mind.
Thian’s business success probably made him a target. Scammers prey on people who appear prosperous.
I hope they find peace and start rebuilding. Insights from their story could be a beacon for others.
We live in a world with less face-to-face interaction. Romance scams are just a new-age challenge we need to address.