Police arrest Thai man for 'running fake hotel booking page and online shopping scams'
Police arrested a Thai suspect for allegedly running a fake hotel booking page and scamming online shoppers in Thailand.
Jetsada, 28, allegedly used a fake Facebook page advertising accommodations in Phetchabun province to trick tourists into transferring money for room bookings.
Visitors looking to book rooms at a popular local mountain destination, Phu Thap Buek, were allegedly tricked into wiring payments to bank accounts controlled by Jetsada.
The same accounts were also linked to at least 10 other alleged scams in which he posed as an online seller offering goods including fresh strawberries, winter jackets, mystery boxes, bags and mobile phones.
Police Lieutenant General Phongsayam Meekhanthong, Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner, said he ordered officers to shut down the fraudulent page and arrest its owner following numerous complaints from disgruntled tourists.
He said: 'Investigations revealed that the suspect used the same bank account to defraud at least 10 other victims by posing as a seller of various goods. These actions have caused significant damage to the tourism industry.'
Jetsada was arrested along Soi Liang Mueang Nonthaburi 13 in Nonthaburi, just north of Bangkok, on October 18.
Police said he was wanted under two arrest warrants issued by the Phitsanulok Provincial Court and the Criminal Court.
He faces charges of public fraud, conspiracy to commit public fraud, violations of the Computer-Related Crime Act and allowing others to use his bank account.
He was handed over to investigators at Wang Thonglang Police Station for legal proceedings, while police were coordinating with other jurisdictions to pursue additional charges.
