Suspects Arrested in Tak Over New Zealand–Australia Job Scam

Suspects Arrested in Tak Over New Zealand–Australia Job Scam

TAK, May 1, 2026 — Thai police have arrested two men in Mae Sot district over an alleged job recruitment scam that defrauded more than 100 victims of over 20 million baht ($550,000), authorities said.

The suspects, both aged 23, were detained under warrants issued by the Criminal Court on April 27 following an investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division.

Police said the case involves an online scheme advertised via a Facebook page offering overseas farm work in New Zealand and Australia, with promised monthly salaries of up to 100,000 baht and free accommodation.

Victims were instructed to apply through a company based in Nonthaburi and pay multiple upfront fees, including charges for contracts, insurance, visa processing and currency exchange, totalling more than 160,000 baht per person.

Investigators said many victims raised funds by selling assets or taking out loans, but lost contact with the organisers after making payments. Some were later given training appointments that never led to employment.

Authorities believe more than 100 Thai and foreign nationals were affected.

The suspects denied involvement, telling police they only handled application documents and provided information to applicants.

They face multiple charges, including public fraud, deceptive recruitment advertising, operating an unlicensed job placement service, and inputting false data into computer systems.

Police said investigations are ongoing to identify additional members of the network.