39-year-old Prayong Sri had been hiding at a relative’s home in Samut Prakan City when police came to finally take her away and begin the process of prosecuting her and bringing her to justice.
A Thai woman who held herself out as a travel agent but who was, in reality, fronting a scam to lure people who thought they were purchasing luxury airline tickets was crash-landed by police officers from the Crime Suppression Division of the Royal Thai Police on Saturday as she was arrested on foot of no less than six court warrants relating to fraud.
On Saturday last, the crime suppression police came knocking on a door in Samut Prakan City seeking 39-year-old Prayong Sri who was wanted on six arrest warrants issued by the Prakanong Court.
Travel agency set up in 2011
The businesswoman had opened up a travel agency in 2011 which appeared to specialise in luxury plane tickets for some of the world’s leading airlines at low prices previously unheard of. According to police sources, once the payments for the tickets arrived in the woman’s bank account, she then simply ceased contact with her expectant customers.
There were many takers who fell for what was apparently scam. It is reported that the suspect continued to operate her firm for quite a while luring in more suckers until repeated complaints to police led to action.
Some customers lost ฿100,000 to ฿150,000 with damages reaching into the millions
Police have indicated that the extent of the damages suffered by those who lost money dealing with Ms Prayong’s firm reached into multiple millions of baht. Police admit to not yet having a full and final tally of the damages. They have indicated that some of the complaints against the Thai woman are for sums between ฿100,000 and ฿150,000.
Reports suggest that 16 separate complaints were filed against the woman and her travel company over an extended period which led to her arrest on Saturday
Woman thought to have been evading the arrest
The woman appears to have been aware of the arrest warrants out for her and was found on Saturday hiding at the home of a relative. The charges against her are for fraud. The arresting party was led by Major Garik Sanohsamnueng of the Crime Suppression Division of the Royal Thai Police.
Businesswoman blames a third party, a man
Ms Prayong told the police that the money paid into her account had been misappropriated not by her but by a third party, a man. Police took the woman to Bang Na Police Station where she is being held in custody while awaiting legal prosecution proceedings.
