Car Owner Accuses Influencer of Fraud Over Classic Car Repair
A car owner paid over 280,000 baht to an automotive influencer with 800,000 followers for classic American car repairs in June 2023, but over a year later the vehicle remains incomplete and missing, prompting a police report.
On August 14, Chatchawal Kaillin, owner of V10 Garage in Pathum Thani's Mueang district, disclosed a case involving a customer who sought assistance after taking a classic American car to a well-known automotive influencer nicknamed "Two-Tone Head" for repairs. The influencer has over 800,000 social media followers and is photographed frequently with celebrities.
According to Kaillin, the situation began in June 2023 when the car owner agreed to bring the classic American vehicle in for repairs with a total cost exceeding 500,000 baht. The owner paid approximately 280,000 baht upfront. However, more than a year later, the work had only progressed partially, with only the paint job completed. The influencer claimed to have ordered Lexus chassis parts and an engine, but the owner discovered the photos were copied from other pages.
Eventually, a Toyota engine was installed instead of the promised parts, contradicting what the influencer had proposed. Work then stalled and the vehicle was abandoned. Most critically, the car owner does not know where their vehicle currently is. The owner approached V10 Garage for help locating the car and recovering the 280,000 baht already paid. Kaillin has since accompanied the owner to file a police report.
The owner expressed concern about the influencer's extensive network among other influencers and celebrities, fearing the case would not receive fair treatment. They chose to contact V10 Garage because of Kaillin's automotive expertise and willingness to help automotive-related disputes. Kaillin agreed to assist in tracking down the matter.