New Scam Targets Students with Fake Kidnapping Extortion
Bangkok police have intervened in a sophisticated extortion scheme where scammers coerced a student into staging their own kidnapping to demand ransom from parents.
According to a report by Matichon Online on October 17, 2026, the Metropolitan Police Bureau successfully intervened in a distressing extortion case involving a university student. Scammers reportedly contacted the victim, falsely claiming the student was involved in a money laundering investigation. Under the guise of legal authority, the perpetrators coerced the student into isolating themselves and applying fake blood to their body to simulate an injury.
The scammers then used these staged images to contact the student’s parents, demanding a ransom of 300,000 baht to secure their child's release. The Metropolitan Police were alerted to the situation and managed to locate and rescue the student before any funds were transferred.
For residents and visitors in Thailand, this incident highlights the evolving nature of 'call center' scams. Authorities frequently warn that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never demand money transfers or instruct individuals to stage self-harm or kidnapping scenarios. If you receive a suspicious call claiming you are under investigation, it is advised to hang up and contact the official police hotline or visit a local station directly. As of now, the investigation into the identity of the scammers remains ongoing, and police are working to determine if this is part of a larger criminal network.
