Six men used AI to trick Thai women into fake romances
Police found the group in a luxury condo after a drug investigation led them to a web of fake profiles and stolen money.
It is a lonely feeling to think you have found love, only to realize the person on the other side of the screen is a lie. These victims were not just losing their hearts; they were being drained of their savings by a cold, digital machine.
What happened
Thai police raided three apartments in a luxury building in Nonthaburi on May 22. They arrested six Nigerian men who were living there on student visas. None of the men were actually attending classes.
The investigation started in April after a separate drug case involving cocaine. Police found financial records that pointed them toward these apartments near the Chao Phraya River. When officers arrived, some suspects tried to run or hide in bathrooms to send warning texts to their friends.
Inside the rooms, police found 18 phones and three laptops. Some of these devices were still open, showing active chats with victims. The group used AI to create fake photos and scripts to trick elderly Thai women into believing they were talking to pilots, doctors, or U.S. soldiers.
What the money/evidence shows
- Six suspects arrested in a luxury condo complex.
- 18 mobile phones and 3 laptops seized by police.
- 3 bank passbooks recovered during the raid.
- AI-generated photos used to fake video calls.
- Scripts found that were used to manipulate victims into paying fake customs fees.
The bigger question
We have to ask how these groups are able to hide in plain sight for so long. If these men were not students, why were they allowed to stay on student visas? We need to look at how easy it is for criminal networks to use our own visa systems to set up shop in new countries.
The other side
The suspects have not yet issued a formal public statement through legal counsel. Their defense will likely focus on the validity of the evidence and the circumstances of their arrest. Based on the active devices found at the scene, the case against them appears to be quite strong.
What happens now
This raid serves as a warning to anyone using dating apps. If someone you meet online asks for money to clear a package through customs, stop talking to them immediately. These scams are becoming more common and harder to spot as technology gets better.
What we still don't know
- How much total money did the victims lose to this group?
- How many women were targeted in total?
- Were there other people involved in the network who managed to escape?
Transparency notes
Published: May 23, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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