Thai police have arrested six Nigerian nationals accused of operating an AI-powered romance scam network from a luxury riverside condominium in Nonthaburi, after an earlier cocaine trafficking investigation exposed the group’s activities.
The arrests were made on May 22 during coordinated raids on three condominium units near Phra Nangklao Bridge along the Chao Phraya River. Authorities say the suspects were living in the high-end property on student visas, despite not being enrolled in any educational institutions or legally employed in Thailand.
According to investigators, the case first began unfolding in April when police arrested a Nigerian man identified as Patrick along with three associates in a cocaine trafficking operation. Authorities seized assets worth approximately 2.5 million baht during that operation.
Financial investigations later led police to the Nonthaburi condo units, where officers discovered what they described as a sophisticated romance scam operation enhanced with artificial intelligence and deepfake technology.
Police said the suspects posed online as Western professionals including pilots, US military officers, doctors, and engineers. Using AI-generated faces and manipulated video calls, they allegedly built emotional relationships with victims primarily older Thai women before convincing them to transfer money.
The scam typically involved claims that valuable parcels or gifts had become stuck in customs and required urgent “processing fees” or transfer payments to release them.
During the raid, police were forced to break into the units after the suspects refused to open the doors. One suspect reportedly attempted to flee by climbing over a balcony, while another hid on a bathroom floor and allegedly warned occupants in neighboring units through text messages.
Authorities seized 18 mobile phones, three laptops, and three bank passbooks from the scene. Investigators said several of the phones were still open to active conversations with potential victims at the time of the arrests.
Police also recovered what they described as scripted “sexy chat” conversations designed to manipulate victims emotionally and persuade them to send money. Investigators noted that some of the AI-generated images and fake video materials were created specifically to appear as attractive Western men in trusted professions.
All six suspects are currently facing initial charges related to illegal association (อั้งยี่) and immigration overstay violations. Additional fraud and romance scam charges are expected as the investigation continues.
Thai authorities say the case reflects a growing trend of international cyber fraud networks using artificial intelligence tools and deepfake technology to make online scams more convincing and difficult to detect.
Video of Thai Police Raiding the Rooms of Scammers: Watch Here
