Scam ?

[Olddaddy]

So I'm walking outside the Quarter Silom with my Filipino boyfriend 

We get approached by a arabic young couple...I smelt a scam so I was cautious 

My BF talks to everybody , so he stops and talks ,the male asks him about where is a sushi place , then tries to be friendly, do you know a money changer etc ,do you have a cigarette?

And can you show me Filipino money ?

I keep walking , and stopped away , the female approaches me.."Salamat"  ,"where are you from ?

I stare at you her face ...I decided to walk off 

My bf approaches me a few minutes later down the street 

"You are so rude they were only asking where the sushi and money changers were,!

....and a cigarette .🚬.and to look at Filipino money ! 

"They were friendly people" , you are so rude walking off !!!!

But I smelt a scam...was I right or rude ?

This was in the street outside QS 

 

[mauRICE]

2 minutes ago, Olddaddy said:

I smelt a scam...was I right or rude ?

You were just being yourself.

[durian]

anyone asks you to show  money, out of curiosity or to talk about money exchange, walk. and keep walking. 

Happened to me in malaysia, like the friendly idiot I am I engaged, hubby pulled me away in seconds and told me off..
If they want to see money, they're trying to get some

[bkkmfj2648]

51 minutes ago, Olddaddy said:

But I smelt a scam...was I right or rude ?

Better to be safe than sorry.

Here in Pattaya (more so in Pattaya City and rarely in Jomtien) there is a group of Indians or Pakistani men who will approach you and point to your belly.

Their scam is to take you to a nearby shop where they will sell you  expensive herbal products that will make your belly fat go away.

These "finders" get a commission if the "potential customer" makes a purchase from said shop.

After many articles in the local farang newspapers were published about this scam - now when they try with me I respond:

"Wow, I just read about you guys recently.  In fact the police are looking for you...."

Then they usually run away.

[Londoner]

Ask yourself whether you would have dealt with British or Australian people in the same way. 

[z000]

I came across a guy asking to see my home currency too in the old town. He said hi, where are you from chitchat for a few seconds and then about how the money looked like. The vibe was awkward so I said I didn't have it with me which is true. I wonder what would happen if I showed him. He wouldn't just grab it and run would he? There are quite a lot of tourists nearby.

[Olddaddy]

39 minutes ago, Londoner said:

Ask yourself whether you would have dealt with British or Australian people in the same way. 

Probably not ...I probably would of been more friendly though cautious 

[Olddaddy]

23 minutes ago, z000 said:

I came across a guy asking to see my home currency too in the old town. He said hi, where are you from chitchat for a few seconds and then about how the money looked like. The vibe was awkward so I said I didn't have it with me which is true. I wonder what would happen if I showed him. He wouldn't just grab it and run would he? There are quite a lot of tourists nearby.

Well that's what I was thinking ?🤔

 

[sydneyboy1]

1 hour ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

Better to be safe than sorry.

Here in Pattaya (more so in Pattaya City and rarely in Jomtien) there is a group of Indians or Pakistani men who will approach you and point to your belly.

Their scam is to take you to a nearby shop where they will sell you  expensive herbal products that will make your belly fat go away.

These "finders" get a commission if the "potential customer" makes a purchase from said shop.

After many articles in the local farang newspapers were published about this scam - now when they try with me I respond:

"Wow, I just read about you guys recently.  In fact the police are looking for you...."

Then they usually run away.

How could anyone fall for an obvious scam like that?

[10tazione]

AI:

[Enchanted_Elixir]

2 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

Better to be safe than sorry.

Here in Pattaya (more so in Pattaya City and rarely in Jomtien) there is a group of Indians or Pakistani men who will approach you and point to your belly.

Their scam is to take you to a nearby shop where they will sell you  expensive herbal products that will make your belly fat go away.

These "finders" get a commission if the "potential customer" makes a purchase from said shop.

After many articles in the local farang newspapers were published about this scam - now when they try with me I respond:

"Wow, I just read about you guys recently.  In fact the police are looking for you...."

Then they usually run away.

In Bangkok, there is a similar scam but for thinning hair.

[Londoner]

Thailand scams are having repercussions on the ease with which I can send  money through my bank to my partner, although I've been doing so without any problem for decades. And also on the availability of my email account when I'm in Thailand. ....or so I am informed by bank and email provider. 

[emiel1981]

4 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

Here in Pattaya (more so in Pattaya City and rarely in Jomtien) there is a group of Indians or Pakistani men who will approach you and point to your belly.

Their scam is to take you to a nearby shop where they will sell you  expensive herbal products that will make your belly fat go away.

Good to know.

My belly has grown quite a bit over the last few months because I couldn't exercise due to an injury. I would like to exercise again, but I haven't managed to find the motivation yet...

[thaiophilus]

8 minutes ago, emiel1981 said:

My belly has grown quite a bit over the last few months because I couldn't exercise due to an injury. I would like to exercise again, but I haven't managed to find the motivation yet...

How about... running away from the scammers?  

[a-447]

5 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

Here in Pattaya (more so in Pattaya City and rarely in Jomtien) there is a group of Indians or Pakistani men who will approach you and point to your belly.

Their scam is to take you to a nearby shop where they will sell you  expensive herbal products that will make your belly fat go away.

These "finders" get a commission if the "potential customer" makes a purchase from said shop.

They run the same scam in Kuala Lumpur.

[vinapu]

18 hours ago, Olddaddy said:

 

But I smelt a scam...was I right or rude ?

 

 

you were careful and rightly so.

while question about sushi place and money changer were  understandable , asking for cigarette  and see Philippine money would trigger similar reaction from me, just keep walking   

[vinapu]

16 hours ago, z000 said:

I came across a guy asking to see my home currency too in the old town. He said hi, where are you from chitchat for a few seconds and then about how the money looked like. The vibe was awkward so I said I didn't have it with me which is true. I wonder what would happen if I showed him. He wouldn't just grab it and run would he? There are quite a lot of tourists nearby.

he would know where you keep your money, his friend nearby possibly would than take task over from him.

I have  questions asking to see my country money  quite a few times but it's different if somebody in your room asks to see it or it complete stranger on the street 

[vinapu]

16 hours ago, Londoner said:

Ask yourself whether you would have dealt with British or Australian people in the same way. 

I know what do you mean  but my answer is , I'd treat it as even more suspicious.

Bkkmfj , do you remember that farang who out of blue was pestering  us  in Foodland to share contacts with him  ? 

[vinapu]

16 hours ago, sydneyboy1 said:

How could anyone fall for an obvious scam like that?

be careful , those scammers are more skilled than we imagine . Scam is always obvious but usually after the fact

[vinapu]

12 hours ago, emiel1981 said:

Good to know.

My belly has grown quite a bit over the last few months because I couldn't exercise due to an injury. I would like to exercise again, but I haven't managed to find the motivation yet...

counting money is great exercise for the fingers

[Olddaddy]

7 minutes ago, vinapu said:

counting money is great exercise for the fingers

Then again maybe they were genuine ...just nice people wanting to see my boyfriend's Filipino notes and ask directions 🧭

I don't think they thought I was with   with my bf ...maybe they thought he was alone because I was walking in front of him but he could be taken as Thai so it's strange they targeted him 

I would be interested if anyone else has come across this couple near the quarter Silom 

Maybe their intentions were to pickpocket !🥷

 

[vinapu]

3 minutes ago, Olddaddy said:

Then again maybe they were genuine ...just nice people wanting to see my boyfriend's Filipino notes and ask directions 

 

sure,  but you missed that boat already anyway by walking away

[Olddaddy]

Just now, vinapu said:

sure,  but you missed that boat already anyway by walking away

Yes ..in some ways I should of stayed ...I could found out actually what they were up to 

[vinapu]

1 minute ago, Olddaddy said:

Yes ..in some ways I should of stayed ...I could found out actually what they were up to 

them we would have even more exciting story here I suspect

[bkkmfj2648]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

Bkkmfj , do you remember that farang who out of blue was pestering  us  in Foodland to share contacts with him  ? 

Yes, he was so annoying. And it was hard to get away from him.