29-Year-Old Woman Charged in Card Game Preorder Scam Targeting 100 Victims
A 29-year-old woman and six accomplices are charged with defrauding over 100 trading card game enthusiasts of nearly 30 million baht through preorder scams, with victims ranging from children to collectors who never received their purchases
On September 11, a representative brought more than 30 victims to file complaints with the Crime Suppression Police against a 29-year-old woman and her network of approximately six accomplices. Victims had placed preorders for popular trading card games but never received the products they paid for. Initial damage reports total nearly 30 million baht, with estimates potentially reaching 50 million baht as more victims come forward.
The suspect used popular card game editions like OP16 to build credibility before accepting preorders for newer versions OP17 and OP18, as well as rare vintage cards like EB05. She offered to sell entire boxes at prices ranging from 22,500 to 35,000 baht per carton, employing aggressive pricing tactics to pressure quick decisions—early buyers received the lowest prices around 20,000 baht while late purchasers faced higher rates. To gain trust, she initially delivered partial shipments and regularly posted photos and shipping updates on Facebook, creating the appearance of a legitimate operation.
The scheme expanded beyond box sales when accomplices infiltrated card game tournaments posing as collectors, targeting enthusiasts with offers of rare cards. Once victims transferred money, they were blocked from contact. When victims questioned the delays, the suspect blamed a fraudulent supplier. Investigators determined the 29-year-old was the principal organizer and true boss of the operation, with the fraud complaint being merely a deflection tactic.
The scam affected players across all age groups, from casual gamers and serious collectors to children. The youngest identified victim was 11 years old. Authorities report that the suspect and her associates used the defrauded funds for personal luxuries, including purchasing a new electric vehicle. One victim reported losing approximately 180,000 baht, having believed the business was trustworthy based on prior research.
