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Thai authorities have arrested six Nigerian nationals during a major raid on a luxury condominium in Nonthaburi province over allegations of operating an international romance scam syndicate targeting vulnerable victims.
According to Thai media reports, the operation, codenamed “Dark Room Crackdown,” was carried out on Thursday at a riverside condominium near Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Bang Kraso, Muang district, following investigations into suspicious financial transactions linked to foreign criminal networks.
Police reportedly searched three apartments under warrants issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court and recovered 18 mobile phones, three laptops and three bank books allegedly connected to online fraud activities.
Investigators said the seized devices contained romance scam conversations, scripted messages and AI-generated profile images used to deceive victims.
The suspects identified as Denis, Ejikeme, Ibekwe, Okorom, Nwosu and Obielu, aged between 23 and 35, were arrested during the operation.
Authorities disclosed that five of the six suspects allegedly overstayed their visas for periods ranging from 695 to 1,560 days.
Another Thai media platform, Thai PBS World, reported that the suspects entered Thailand on student visas but were not enrolled in any educational institution and had no traceable employment despite large sums moving through their bank accounts.
Police said some of the suspects attempted to resist arrest during the raid, with one allegedly trying to flee through a balcony while another reportedly hid in a bathroom and attempted to alert others via text messages.
Investigators further alleged that the group created fake online identities, posing as professionals such as pilots, soldiers, lawyers, engineers and doctors on social media platforms including Facebook Messenger, TikTok, WeChat, Line and Zalo.
The alleged scam involved building romantic relationships with victims before claiming parcels had been detained by customs authorities and demanding money for clearance fees. Reports indicated that many of the victims were elderly Thai women.
All six suspects were transferred to Rattanathibet Police Station alongside the recovered items.
They were initially charged with membership of a secret society and overstaying their visas, while police said additional charges relating to online romance scams could follow as investigations continue.
Thai authorities also claimed the suspects admitted to the preliminary charges at the time of arrest.
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