Chinese tourist reports 400,000-baht Bangkok scam
Chinese tourist reports 400,000-baht Bangkok scam
BANGKOK, November 14, 2026 — A 28-year-old Chinese tourist has reported losing more than 400,000 baht in an alleged fraud scheme involving fellow Chinese nationals who befriended her through a social media application before persuading her to exchange money and purchase mobile phones for them.
The victim, identified as Meng Linghui, filed a complaint at Huai Khwang Police Station at around 11pm on November 11, accompanied by her younger brother. She accused a Chinese man and his associates of defrauding her through cash exchanges and advance payments for mobile phones.
According to her statement to police, Meng arrived in Thailand on October 26 for a holiday and met a Chinese man through the Xiaohongshu social media application.
On November 1, the man invited her to meet at a restaurant in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district, where he introduced her to another Chinese man. The group later took her to the Nana area.
The men allegedly claimed they needed Thai baht and offered to transfer Chinese yuan into Meng’s Chinese bank account in exchange for cash.
Around midnight on November 2, Meng handed over 100,000 baht after receiving a transfer of 20,000 yuan. In a second transaction, she handed over another 98,000 baht after receiving a further transfer of 19,600 yuan. The total cash exchanged amounted to approximately 198,000 baht.
Mobile Phone Purchases Used in Alleged Scheme
Later on November 2, the two men took Meng to Central Rama 9 shopping mall, where one allegedly claimed that his bank was experiencing technical problems and asked her to pay for a mobile phone in advance, promising to reimburse her later.
She reportedly paid more than 32,000 yuan, equivalent to over 160,000 baht.
The group subsequently travelled to Pattaya, where Meng exchanged another 4,977.81 yuan, worth approximately 25,000 baht. The men then allegedly used the same explanation to persuade her to pay another US$1,784, equivalent to more than 60,000 baht, for a mobile phone at another branch of a major retailer.
Chinese Bank Account Frozen
After returning to Bangkok in the early hours of November 3, Meng attempted to recover the money but was repeatedly told that repayment would be made within 24 hours.
She later discovered that her Chinese bank account had been frozen. The bank reportedly informed her that funds transferred into the account were linked to other fraud victims, prompting the account suspension.
Meng subsequently became unable to contact the men. She believes the money transferred into her account may have originated from other people who had also been deceived.
Suspect Denies Allegations
Police invited one Chinese man suspected of involvement to provide a statement. However, he denied the allegations and reportedly made intimidating remarks to the victim, claiming that he was not afraid of anyone in Bangkok.
Investigators accepted Meng’s complaint and temporarily released the man while advising her to submit additional evidence to support the investigation and potential arrest warrants.
Meng also told authorities that the group appeared to be operating as an organised network and that other Chinese nationals had reportedly suffered similar losses in China.
The investigation is ongoing.
