Man Arrested for Scamming Job Seekers, Fled to Laos
A 29-year-old man was arrested in Bangkok for operating a fake job placement scheme that defrauded over 400 people of 65 million baht by promising farm work in Australia, before fleeing to Laos where he continued the scam under an alias.
Police arrested 29-year-old Natthavut (surname withheld), also known as Putthiphat, on August 6, 2025, under arrest warrant 264/2567 issued on April 29, 2567. He was charged with operating an unlicensed job placement agency and defrauding victims by falsely promising employment in Australia. The arrest took place in the Ratchadaphisek area, Huay Khwang District, Bangkok.
The suspect operated a company called "Nation New Tour," where he convinced victims they could work as farm and garden laborers in Australia earning 80,000–100,000 baht monthly, charging processing fees of 45,000–54,000 baht per person. After collecting payments, he failed to arrange any placements. Investigation confirmed the company had no license for overseas job placement services.
The scheme began in 2566 before the suspect fled the country in early 2567 as court proceedings commenced. Police discovered he held seven outstanding arrest warrants for similar offenses across multiple locations. He fled to Laos, where he forged documents claiming Lao nationality under the name "Sidpasit" and opened "Lao Visa Service," claiming to place workers in Australia and Canada. Over 400 victims were defrauded, with total losses exceeding 65 million baht.
Police eventually traced him secretly returning to Thailand through natural border crossings from Laos and apprehended him. During interrogation, the suspect denied all charges. He was transferred to investigators for further legal proceedings.
