Thai police nab Nigerian scamming gang

BANGKOK, February 6 (TNA) - Thai police have arrested more members of a transnational network, including its Nigerian head and two Thai nationals, for allegedly scamming Thai women through an online dating website and emails, tricking them to transfer money for sending presents, with dozens of Thai females having fallen victims and lost over 10 million baht. Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) police arrested the Nigerian man, identified as IFeanyi George Okoronkwo or OJ, at Thailand's main Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Friday for allegedly luring Thai female victims. A group of foreign and Thai suspects, earlier arrested by the Thai police, said that OJ is the head of the transnational scamming syndicate, tricking victims that he was a doctor from Belgium until they trust him and formed some kinds of relationship. The scamming continued until he told the victims to transfer some money for him to send them valuable gifts, while other members of the gang pretended to be officials from different agencies to collect the money for the process. The Thai police uncovered that OJ's scamming network has run the illicit business for five years, causing over 30 Thai women to fall preys and lose more than 10 million baht. The Thai police also nabbed two Thai women suspected to have involved in the scamming network. TSCD Commander Police Major General Siripong Timula, meanwhile, warned the public not to easily trust anyone they know through different platforms of online social media. (TNA)