Thai police arrest six Nigerians in Nonthaburi romance-scam raid
Thai police arrested six Nigerian nationals at a luxury Nonthaburi condominium on 22 May, seizing phones, laptops and scam scripts in an operation targeting an alleged romance-fraud network.
- Six Nigerian nationals arrested at Nonthaburi condominium during Operation Dark Room Crackdown on 22 May.
- Police seized 18 phones, three laptops and scam scripts, including AI-generated profile images.
- Five suspects had overstayed Thai visas; further romance-scam charges are under consideration.
THAILAND 一 Six Nigerian nationals have been arrested following a police raid on a luxury riverside condominium in Nonthaburi province, with officers accusing the group of operating a romance-scam network that used fabricated online personas to defraud victims into transferring funds.
The operation, codenamed Dark Room Crackdown, was carried out on 22 May at a condominium near Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Bang Kraso, Muang district. Search warrants for three rooms at the premises were issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court.
Suspects named and visa breaches confirmed
Officers arrested six men aged between 23 and 35. Five were confirmed to have overstayed their permission to remain in Thailand by substantial margins, with periods ranging from 695 to 1,560 days. The sixth suspect's overstay status was said to be under separate verification as part of the ongoing investigation.
The suspects were identified as Denis, 23, who had overstayed by 726 days; Ejikeme, 24, by 827 days; Ibekwe, 29, by 1,166 days; Okorom, 26, by 695 days; Nwosu, 30, by 1,560 days; and Obielu, 35, whose overstay status was not specified at the time of the raid.
All six held student visas. Police said there was no clear evidence that any of the suspects had attended classes or maintained regular employment during their time in Thailand.
Devices and documents seized
During the search, officers seized 18 mobile phones, three laptop computers and three bank books. Police said the seized devices contained alleged romance-scam conversation logs, scripted dialogue used to deceive victims and profile images described as having been generated using artificial intelligence tools.
Investigators said the material recovered suggested the group had been using fabricated online identities to establish relationships with victims before persuading them to transfer money. Police did not disclose the total financial value of alleged losses at the time of the arrest.
Charges and potential further action
The six suspects were initially charged with being members of a secret society and with overstaying their permission to remain in Thailand.
Police said additional charges related to romance-scam offences remained under consideration, pending coordination with victims and local police stations handling related complaints.
Investigators said the raid followed an inquiry into foreign criminal networks allegedly connected to unusual financial transactions in the area. The group had been living together at the condominium, a fact police said raised concerns consistent with organised criminal activity.
Suspects resisted entry, one fled via balcony
Police said that during the operation, some suspects refused to open their doors, prompting officers to force entry amid concerns that evidence might be destroyed before a search could be conducted.
One suspect allegedly attempted to escape through a balcony as officers entered. A second was found concealed in a bathroom and was said to have been attempting to send messages, which police described as an effort to alert others connected to the network.
The suspects were taken into custody and are expected to face further questioning as the investigation continues.
