Thai Police Issue Warning Over Fraudulent Overseas Language Study Programs
Thai authorities have warned the public about a surge in scams involving fake overseas language study courses that leave victims without travel documents or refunds.
The Royal Thai Police have issued a formal warning regarding a rise in fraudulent schemes targeting individuals interested in short-term overseas language study programs. According to Police Major Thanyachanok Saeng-ai, deputy spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, numerous victims have reported significant financial losses after paying upfront fees ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 baht per person.
Reports indicate that perpetrators lure victims with promises of study abroad opportunities, only to fail to provide necessary flight tickets or travel documentation upon the scheduled departure date. In other instances, victims have faced indefinite travel delays or unauthorized changes to their destination institutions, ultimately preventing them from studying abroad and leaving them unable to recover their funds.
For residents and prospective students, this trend highlights the importance of verifying all educational services before making payments. Authorities advise the public to follow the "Check before applying, be sure before paying" protocol. This includes contacting the overseas educational institution directly to verify the legitimacy of the course and the authorized status of the agency. Furthermore, individuals are urged to scrutinize all contracts, specifically focusing on cancellation policies and refund terms. While police investigations are ongoing, it remains to be confirmed how many agencies are currently under scrutiny and whether any suspects have been apprehended in connection with these specific reports.
