Four Foreigners Held in Bangkok ‘Black Money’ Counterfeit Scheme
Four Foreigners Held in Bangkok ‘Black Money’ Counterfeit Scheme
BANGKOK, 3 August 2026 — Bangkok police have arrested four African nationals in an undercover operation targeting an alleged counterfeit currency scam known as the “black money” scheme, in which suspects claimed ordinary paper could be transformed into genuine US dollar banknotes.
The operation, codenamed “Deception within Deception“, was carried out on Aug. 1 after investigators from the Metropolitan Police Bureau posed as wealthy buyers at a luxury-car exhibition in Bangkok.
According to police, the suspects claimed they had US$6 million in cash being held by customs authorities and requested 150,000 baht as an unofficial payment to secure its release. In return, they allegedly promised the undercover officers a 40% share of the proceeds from what they described as a system for converting blank paper into authentic US dollar notes.
The investigation began on July 26 when officers tracking a suspected key figure in Bangkok’s Nana area attended a luxury-car gathering while posing as prospective buyers. Police said the suspects approached them with the proposal to finance the purchase of an expensive vehicle using the alleged cash.
The Aug. 1 operation was led by Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thamsuthee, together with senior officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, under the direction of National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet and other senior commanders.
Police arrested Remy, 35, a Liberian national, on suspicion of participating in a criminal organisation. Another Liberian national, David, 40, was arrested on the same allegation and for remaining in Thailand without legal permission.
Authorities later detained two Cameroonian women at a residence in Bangkok’s Hua Mak district. Nagua, 35, was charged with illegally staying in Thailand, while Kaesia, 21, was arrested for overstaying her visa.
During searches, investigators seized 11 counterfeit US$100 banknotes, three chemically treated notes, approximately 60,000 banknote-sized sheets of blank paper, four bottles containing unidentified liquid currently undergoing forensic testing, equipment allegedly used in the scam, and three mobile phones.
Police said the mobile phones contained videos demonstrating alleged counterfeit-money production techniques and fraudulent schemes.
Investigators believe the suspects demonstrated the scam using specially coated paper and a liquid presented as a secret chemical capable of converting blank paper into genuine currency. Police allege the liquid was merely vitamin C dissolved in water, used to remove a coating and reveal a genuine banknote that had been concealed beforehand to deceive victims.
At Remy’s accommodation on Lasalle Road, officers recovered the 60,000 prepared sheets, which investigators believe were intended for use in the counterfeit scheme. A search of David’s residence uncovered additional counterfeit notes and other evidence.
Police said Remy denied any knowledge of the operation. David, however, allegedly admitted that the demonstrations were designed to convince victims to hand over money or other valuables before the suspects severed contact. He also reportedly told investigators he had paid a printing shop earlier that day to cut blank paper into the size of US dollar banknotes.
The four suspects, along with the seized evidence, have been handed over to investigators at Makkasan and Hua Mak police stations for further legal proceedings.
