Victims of the scam point out
the man who tried to scam them.
Theerarak Suthathiwong
A bail bondsman allegedly masquerading as a police
officer was arrested on charges he shook down owners of a Naklua somtam
restaurant for 10,000 baht.
Verayuth Buddapanth, 25, was apprehended Oct. 18 during a
police sting operation in which the Nong Bualumphoo native was caught
accepting a 1,000 baht payment from alleged extortion victim Yuphin
Konpkhum.
Yuphin told police trouble began when her 21-year-old son
Jitipong called, saying he’d been detained by a police officer who refused
to release him unless he was paid 10,000 baht.
Jitipong explained to investigators he’d been pulled over
by Verayuth on Soi Wat Thamsamakkee and that he didn’t realize the bail
bondsman was not a real officer. Verayuth allegedly conducted an illegal
search of Jitipong’s motorbike and attempted to bring him for a urine test.
Refusing to go, Jitipong was told he would not be released unless he paid
Verayuth 10,000 baht.
The youth called his mother, who borrowed 8,800 baht from
a relative and paid off the fake cop, promising to get the rest later.
Yuphin said she then realized she’d been scammed and contacted police, who
helped her set up the final cash exchange and sting.
Verayuth denied charges he’d impersonated a police
officer and had only asked for the cash from the Konpkhum’s to “clear
himself” of a drug-dealing charge. When questioned about the 8,800 baht
earlier taken from the somtam chefs, Verayuth denied it was him, saying a
man identified only as “Net” had taken the money.
Verayuth now needs his own bail bondsman after skeptical
police locked him up pending further investigation. Police again repeated
warnings to not surrender to any search or detainment by anyone claiming to
be a police officer without verifying his credentials with the relevant
police station.
