Man Arrested for Defrauding 150 Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia Tour Scam
A man was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport after 150 pilgrims lost 3.75 million baht in a fake Saudi Arabia tour scam, with no flight reservations ever booked despite their payments.
Police arrested Mohamad Hassooran Mamu, 49, at Suvarnabhumi Airport's Gate 8 on July 4, 2569, after 150 pilgrims reported being defrauded. The victims had each paid 25,000 baht—totaling 3.75 million baht—for a 10-night, 11-day pilgrimage tour to Saudi Arabia scheduled for July 3-13, 2569. When the group arrived at the airport to check in, they discovered no flight reservations existed under any airline.
During questioning, Mamu admitted he lacked sufficient funds to conduct the tour and confessed to the scheme. Investigators found he had illegally operated a tour company without proper business registration or licensing. Police charged him under tourism law for conducting a travel business without authorization, which carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a 500,000-baht fine. He was transferred to Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for further legal proceedings.
