SRI RACHA, THAILAND – A man posing as a customer used a fake transfer receipt to steal 588 baht in cash and cigarettes from a grocery store in Bo Win on a busy Saturday afternoon.
The theft occurred at 14:30 at a store on the road to Apex Condo, house number 116/133, when a man requested to withdraw 500 baht via QR payment and buy a pack of cigarettes for 88 baht. After showing what appeared to be a completed transfer receipt on his phone, he took the money and goods, then left on a motorcycle before the transaction could be verified. The total loss amounted to 588 baht.
Young witness recounts the incident
The shop owner’s 14-year-old daughter, Anchalee Yaem Phio, said the man acted like an ordinary customer despite the crowd inside the store. He offered a 20-baht service fee for the transaction, prompting her to hand over the cash and cigarettes before checking the payment confirmation.
Fifteen minutes later, Anchalee verified the shop’s account and found no incoming transfer. She immediately informed her family and the village headman, leading to an official report at 17:00.
Village chief issues community warning
Village chief Apichat Nun Chuay of Moo 3 sent an assistant to record details at the scene after receiving the report.
Anchalee confirmed she would file a formal complaint with Bo Win Police Station the following day. The incident was captured on in-store surveillance cameras, providing investigators with clear visuals of the suspect and his motorcycle.
Police advise caution with digital payments
The Bo Win Police Station emphasized the importance of verifying transfers immediately before handing over goods or cash, as such scams often occur during business rush hours.
Authorities urged business owners to follow specific precautions:
• Check account balances immediately after QR transactions.
• Compare receipt reference numbers for inconsistencies.
• Notify local police or village leaders promptly in suspicious cases.
The ongoing investigation in Chonburi Province aims to identify the perpetrator using the shop’s CCTV footage. The small convenience store, serving the Bo Win community, suffered a loss modest in amount but significant for the family involved.