A Thai-Hong Kong woman alleged that she lost more than 30 million baht in a Thai fortune teller scam and claims she later paid hundreds of thousands of baht to police while seeking progress in the case.
The 47 year old woman, identified as Phetcharin, sought assistance from consumer advocacy group Saimai Survive after becoming dissatisfied with the handling of her complaint.
According to Phetcharin, she is the daughter of a Hong Kong father and lives and works in Hong Kong. She said problems in her marriage began around four years ago after she discovered her husband had been dishonest.
Seeking help, she contacted a Thai fortune teller she had found on Facebook and asked for assistance in restoring her relationship.
Phetcharin alleged that the fortune teller sent her a love potion from Thailand and instructed her to mix it with water for drinking and bathing.
She claimed that after following the instructions, she began believing in the fortune teller’s abilities and continued to seek guidance.
According to the woman, she followed numerous recommendations from the fortune teller over a period of three to four years and transferred money more than 100 times. Phetcharin said the total amount transferred exceeded 30 million baht.
She told reporters that she eventually realised she may have been deceived and travelled to Thailand to file a complaint with police.
The woman further alleged that despite providing financial support requested during the investigation, she received no updates regarding the case.
Speaking at a press conference today, June 17, Saimai Survive founder Ekkaphop Luangprasert said Phetcharin filed her complaint at Prawet Police Station.
Ekkaphop alleged that five to six officers attached to the station were suspected of demanding money from the complainant during the investigation process.
He said the case should be relatively straightforward because the woman possesses financial records documenting transfers made to the fortune teller.
Ekkaphop pledged to follow up with the superintendent of Prawet Police Station and seek clarification regarding the investigation. He also said efforts would be made to determine whether any officers had improperly requested money from the complainant.
Police have not yet publicly responded to the allegations, and no further developments in the investigation had been announced.
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