Police Warn of Imposters Posing as Immigration Officers
Scammers posing as immigration and police officers in Rayong forced Chinese workers to buy fake charity cards and threatened them with arrest. Authorities urge the public to demand ID verification and contact local officials to confirm legi
Thai and foreign authorities have issued a warning about individuals impersonating police and immigration officers. The public is advised to request identification cards, take photos or videos, and verify credentials before allowing anyone to conduct inspections. If in doubt, contact local government agencies to confirm the officer's legitimacy.
The warning follows an incident in Ban Khai District, Rayong Province, where a group dressed as police officers impersonated immigration inspectors and forced Chinese workers to buy charitable donation cards, threatening to bring in real officers if they refused. Some workers also reported missing belongings after the group left. Police are investigating and gathering evidence for prosecution.
On August 14, Deputy Immigration Commissioner Prinya Klinkaset announced that the Immigration Bureau Region 3 commander has ordered Rayong immigration and local police to conduct an urgent investigation. The public and foreigners are reminded they have the right to request ID verification from anyone claiming to be a police or immigration officer, and may photograph or record interactions. Officials emphasized the Bureau does not solicit donations or sell charitable cards.
Foreigners unable to speak Thai should contact trusted individuals, employers, or local government agencies to verify claims. The Police Care application includes a "verify fake police" function to check if someone is a legitimate officer. The National Police Office prioritizes preventing impersonation fraud that harms public confidence. Anyone with information about such fraud can report it to the Immigration Bureau hotline at 1178.
