Employment Agency Scam: Thais Lose 290,000 Baht Each, Jailed in Ireland
Two Chiang Rai residents lost 290,000 baht each to a fraudulent employment agency that promised factory work in Ireland, then were jailed upon arrival for using fake documents. The unlicensed company has defrauded at least 20 other victims,
On July 28, Manop, 27, and Bandit, 25, both from Chiang Rai, filed complaints with the Chiang Rai Employment Office seeking help after being defrauded by an employment agency that promised them work at a food processing factory in Ireland. Each victim lost 290,000 baht in processing fees plus approximately 20,000 baht for airfare, and were imprisoned in a foreign jail for over three days.
Manop explained that he, his girlfriend, and a friend were referred to a company in Pa Daet District to work in Ireland. The agency required payment in three installments totaling 290,000 baht per person. When they arrived in Ireland in early June, immigration officials arrested them immediately upon arrival, alleging they attempted to use fraudulent documents because their paperwork did not match system records.
"We were detained from June 3 for three days and two nights in a dark, cramped four-person cell. My girlfriend was isolated alone, in severe psychological distress with no way to contact anyone. That country has no Thai embassy," Manop said. Bandit tearfully recounted that because she could not communicate in English, she was held in solitary confinement, suffering severe depression and suicidal thoughts after just a week. She was released on June 7.
After returning to Thailand, they attempted to recover their money but were repeatedly stalled. Upon posting warnings online, they discovered over 20 other victims of the same agency. Some had cancellations before departure but have not received refunds since February. Investigation by the Chiang Rai Employment Office revealed the company was licensed only for tourist visa processing, not labor export services.
