Nigerian 'romance scammer' arrested as he makes ATM withdrawal in Thailand
A suspected Nigerian romance scammer was arrested while withdrawing cash from an ATM in Thailand.
Chinedu Theophilus Ezike, 24, from Lagos, was reportedly withdrawing with multiple bank cards under different names when he was caught in Bangkok on May 20.
Cops said the Nigerian national was 'acting suspiciously' while they were patrolling ATMs around the city for fraudulent activity.
They detained him for questioning before discovering six mobile phones, 10 ATM cards, and 20,000 baht in cash in his bag.
The items were seized, and he was taken to Rattanathibet district station to be charged with 'possessing another person's electronic payment cards for unlawful use'.
Footage shows the suspect being grilled by officers as dozens of mobile phones and ATM cards were laid out on the table in front of him.
Police Colonel Phrut Jamroonsart said a search of Chinedu's room in the Bang Sri Muang area found another 40 mobile phones, believed to have been used in romance scam operations.
He added: 'All seized phone equipment will be handed to the forensic department for further investigation.
'Initial investigations uncovered links to the suspect's Thai wife, who allegedly has records connected to more than 20 cases, and we are now expanding the probe.
‘The suspect denied the charges. We also found that his visa is still valid.
‘However, we will detain him until the case reaches its conclusion, after which he will be handed over to immigration authorities for further legal action.'
The arrest comes after another Nigerian national was arrested in a drug-related case in Bangkok.
Suspected Nigerian dealer Chiadikaobi was arrested with two Thai women after police allegedly seized 65.5kg of heroin hidden in snack and pet food bags in Bangkok raids just two days earlier.
Investigators said the drugs were linked to a Nigerian trafficking network supplying Thailand's tourist hotspots, while the gang also allegedly ran romance scams to recruit Thai women as drug couriers.
