BANGKOK, THAILAND – A Thai woman who sought legal help on Facebook ended up losing nearly 16 million baht and her home to a gang posing as top lawyers.
Online legal query turned into ordeal
The case began innocently when the woman posted a request for advice in the Facebook group “Free Legal Advice from Volunteer Lawyers” in late 2025. She was seeking guidance on a land dispute and was contacted by a man and a woman claiming to be a respected lawyer couple specialising in land law.
They appeared professional, friendly and highly convincing, presenting themselves as experienced experts. Unaware she was dealing with fraudsters, the woman entered what would become a carefully prepared trap.
Face-to-face meetings built false trust
To strengthen their credibility, the fake lawyers arranged meetings in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. Over about two months they built trust through repeated conversations, promises and polished, professional appearances.
“They behaved like professionals,”
said the victim, according to later testimony. Once that trust was firmly established, the suspects began demanding money, allegedly to cover fees, expert reports and legal proceedings.
97 transfers and a life in ruins
The woman eventually made 97 separate transfers to the group. In total she sent 15.95 million baht, the equivalent of several hundred thousand euros, for services that were never provided.
To pay the supposed bills, she was forced to sell her house and other assets, leaving her with nothing. Instead of the promised legal victory, she was left with debt, despair and the growing conviction that she had been systematically defrauded.
Police raids and arrests in Phetchabun
Investigators from Mae Sariang police, working with the regional crime division, later launched raids in Phetchabun. Four of five suspects were arrested there, while the fifth, the youngest and only woman in the group, was already serving a prison sentence for fraud in Phitsanulok.
Officers seized seven mobile phones, bank books, ATM cards, a laptop, two cars, a tractor and twelve gold jewellery pieces, all believed to be possible proceeds of the scam.
Repeat offenders and bogus accounts
Two main suspects, Satawat and Kulthida, were already known to police. Since 2022 they were alleged to have been involved in similar frauds, repeatedly posing as property agents or lawyers to extract money from victims.
Three additional suspects admitted providing their bank accounts to the group. The account names reportedly included those of relatives and neighbours, apparently to obscure the flow of funds.
Total losses may reach 30 million baht
Satawat told police he had been in a relationship with Kulthida but claimed he knew nothing about the fraud. As for the origin of the money, he allegedly insisted he had no idea.
Investigators rejected his account. According to police, the estimated total damage across all victims was around 30 million baht, and the investigation was continuing, with officers expecting more victims to come forward.