Monks in Buriram Targeted by Serial Loan Scammer
Multiple temples in Nang Rong district, Buriram, have reported being targeted by a woman who deceives monks into lending her money under false pretenses.
According to a report by Khaosod Online on November 14, 2026, senior monks and abbots in the Nang Rong district of Buriram province have fallen victim to a serial scammer. The suspect, described as a woman aged between 40 and 45, has been visiting various temples to solicit money by fabricating stories of personal hardship, such as children involved in accidents or urgent debt crises.
One victim, Phra Athikan Uan Thanjaro, the abbot of Wat Rat Pradit, recounted an incident from early 2025 where the woman claimed to follow his temple's Facebook page before requesting 3,000 baht to pay off her daughter's debt. Moved by compassion, the abbot provided the funds, only to find that the woman disappeared without repaying the loan. Other monks have reported similar losses ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of baht.
For residents and visitors, this incident serves as a reminder to exercise caution when approached by strangers requesting financial assistance, regardless of the setting. While the scam specifically targets religious institutions, it highlights a pattern of deceptive behavior in the region. Authorities have yet to confirm the total number of victims or the current whereabouts of the suspect, and investigations into these reports are ongoing.
