I was duped on the 19th Sept 2008, Same story - different gem store, I was blocked from going to Siam Paragon by a person claiming to be from the tourist info centre and told the shops were not open until later due to a holiday - a tuk tuk was organised for 80 baht to take me to the temple and from there we were taken to the Golden Argosy Factory Export Center Co, not to make a profit but the same thing happened at the temple - tuk tuk driver went to toilet - man in 4 wheel drive came and told us how lucky we were - Tiffanie's would buy it - thought at the time this is not the style for Tiffany. Upon arrival I was told they export to Michael Hill Jewellers and I know they have cheaper type things so was confident to get a cheap priced ring of quality.
Was supposed to be 5380 baht but when I got home today to scan the 'certificate' saw another 0, did a search of the company and bam up this site came.
They have taken $2000 from my credit card not $200 so I now need help????

Sorry to hear about what happened to you, but to be honest, why would ANYONE do anyone else a favour!

Brad, you're not helping. If you have nothing helpful to say, don't post. People can be nice. Tourists want to believe the Thais are nice people, but the very existence of this website proves that a handful - a growing handful - give the whole country a bad perception. So what's wrong with making people aware of these assholes?

Slotty, do you have any suggestions? Mr Duped, basically was caught out because he let greed cloud his judgement, the warning sound were there, but he chose to ignore them. What do you want me to say, "Don't worry bud, you'll get you're money back"?

I'd like to know where you plucked up "a growing handful" from, do you have any stats to back this up? I presume you don't live in Thailand?

Brad, it's a very bad feeling to be scammed, not least on what was supposed to be a holiday. Let's not compound the writer's misery by calling him greedy, shall we?

the tuk tuk will take you all around to the tailor shop,jewerly shops . and it one in bangkok thailand the largest jew store in thailand it is over priced.to high the places there are greedy.they have a scam there just trying to feed there family.but it is so sad. it nice there. but they will try to take from you.oh yes.

Have you stopped think about social impact of your "honest tourist" on Thai society? The honest tourists don't seem to be any wiser or intelligent than the average school child. We fly into a foreign society after paying more money for the plane ticket than most people make in six months. We flash our money around as though it is unlimited. We stay at hotels and resort and pay prices per night that would be a down payment on a home for the ordinary person. We show no respect for the values, beliefs and culture of the society. We treat their religious temples like museums. No wonder they show us no respect. We are not respectful of them.

I was cheated the same way too. I was approached by a elder Man. while crossing the road. telling me and my girlfriend that today is lucky buddha day. and only open today. so he lead us to the TUK TUK driver that lead us to lucky buddha temple. and it open only once a month.

Upon reaching praying to "lucky buddha" A well dress man approached us and told us about the same things Yindee. and told us that yindee is having the promotion and is open to the public and having a promotion. told us that if we buy and bring it back to local and is able to fetch a certain sum of cash. more than what we bought min a 45% profit.

After reading all this article i felt that i was cheated and i use my credit cards to pay for the bills. Now i'm in deep trobule with debt. anyone or any offfical is able to assist me with this. It pretty urgent.

Hi,

It was the same as what others had reported - I was brought to Yiplee Lapidiary in Makkasan and bought a blue sapphire ring for 7000baht.

It happened on Saturday late evening, abt 6pm - 10th August 2008

When I checked online, the most I would pay may be less than 1000baht!!

Is there anything I can do to get my refund?

Thanks,

WS

Swatdee krap to everybody , i am living in Thailand from 1993 ! About the gems scam...high police officer are involved in this businness , you can not do nothing if u have been scammed , one of my good friend , he is a governament officer tried to help a foreigner that have been scammed...they went back in the shop for a refund but the owner threat the thai guy that work for the governament and they has been throw outside the shop badly...they went to complain in the Kaosan rd police station...they wrote paper and paper , the foreigner lost time , and never got his money back ! I work in the jewellery businness for many years and is not easy belive me , here in Thailand everythings can happened , and once you find out that they are try to cheat you...but they can not because you find out that and you do not let scam you...then they do not shame nothing ...they act angry with you ! Honest people very hard to find every where...but...i am sad to say that : in europe the police fight the crime...but in Thailand most of the policeman are criminals and are corrupt !

Slotty, I'll give you two guesses who wrote the paragraph below?

"Please remember, most scammers are successful because they play on the greed of their victims. If something is too good to be true then it probably is"

All these scammers are 'working' over lost tourists in plain view of the police Boxes and Security Guards.
DO NOT EXPECT TO HAVE THAI AUTHORITIES TO HELP OUT .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29324583@N05/

I have a suggestion. Let all the readers here visit this shop. Waste their time by wanting to see about everything they have for sale, and after about one and a half hour just leave without buying anything. I have to think about it. I will come back later.

I agree of course. But most tourists go there with a Lonely Planet or something like that. Dont they read the book they bought? Still they buy.

I think quality gems are about the same price worldwide
( unless they are stolen of course).

why would anyone bother to buy them thinking they are going to make a huge profit taking them back home.

think about it, if they are so valuable, ligit companies would
( and do) export them.

if you are bringing them back, and they are over your countries free duty limit ( and you get cought) you will loose them and maybe pay a fine too.

don't let greed colour your judgment ( and don't beleive anyone trying to sell you something when away from home)

The problem here Mikey is that many tourists are honest people and believe what people say to them. Not all tourists are greedy but believe that they are getting a good deal from these shops. Lets face it - if a flat screen TV at home was for sale at $3000 and then it went in a sale at $2400 you would think you're getting a good deal? Same here with these Gems. Not every tourist is thinking they will make a quick profit. Mnay think they are getting a good deal on a present for the wife/family and it's not until they have their goods valued ( for home insurance purposes) that they realised they have been scammed.
The Thai tourist board promotes Thailand as a 'magical' place and the Thai people as friendly and welcoming because of their deep faiths. Tourists soon realize once they arrive that this is not true and in fact places like Bangkok is polluted and full of nothing but scammers and thieves.
And just to add about your remark about duty free limit - these people who sell you these worthless gems tell you a story about how they have a 'special' arrangement with your countries customs that allows the gems to be tax exempt. I guess that Western tourists are use to such high standards back home and if a store owner was to make such a statement then then that would be the case otherwise the police and authorities would close them down immediately and the owner arrested, fined and put in jail.

So, everyone, please do not slate off the tourist who fall for these scams. It is not their fault being so trustworthy. You should aim your spiteful remarks to the scammers and Thai Government.

These are not random scammers people are meeting.
The scammers are part of a devious organization, intent on defrauding every tourist that visits Thailand.
It starts at the arrival hall in the airport baggage claim with the AOT Limo scammers and continues outside every hotel, tourist site, busy corner, train station , shopping center, shrine. They are driving Taxies and Tuk Tuks.
They wear official badges, impersonate police officers, tourist officials. They work their scams in temples
They are everywhere now days and getting more and more aggressive all the time.
Look how popular the bangkokscams website has become. It is the tip of the iceberg, the reports here.
It won't be long until everybody around the world knows Thailand as a scammers paradise with the Police, TAT , Tourist Police doing zero to help visitors.
Boycott Thailand until the TAT starts warning visitors and the Tourist Police are reformed.

The same thing happened to me and my husband 2 days ago. I got the security guard from our hotel to accompany me to the tourist police station. I was offerred by a very disinterested police officer - 100% of my money back (after she called and arranged for the shop assistnat to attend the police station) in a credit voucher. I refused very sternly and stated I wanted my money back in cash and wanted to lodge a police complaint. I was told that by police and hotel security the best I could expect was a 70% refund, in CREDIT NOTE form. I refused and got a little stern. The police woman then called the shop and negotiated a 90% refund CASH. I went to the shop and got 90% in CASH back. The people at the store didnt even bother to ask why I wanted the refund! I had taken printed emails of all of these blogs with me to the station - showing the scam had been going on since 2002. The police must have told the store this. When I got to the shop the same people who sold me the dodgy goods had the nerve to smile, offer me water and thank me for coming in! Had to sign a form saying that I was so grateful to the company for agreeing to give me a refund, blah blah. I was escorted out of the shop firmly by the security person who accompanied me there - he became very upset when I tried to tell other people in the shop that it was a scam. He ushered me out and told me that the mafia were there - and "many big men waiting" behind the scenes. Felt terrible about not being able to stop it happening to other people. Im sure the police know it goes on, and even though they will frustrate you to tears (ie by watching TV while you are telling them the details of your complaint), they have to be seen to be doing something. I say your best bet is to get the police involved.

Hi, I got scammed too. Could anyone advise me if I really do require a report from a singapore demalogist to verify the value of the gems before lodging a report to the bbk police?

Can the recoveing of my money be done in a day?

Many Thanks

Hi Gizelle

I am also a victim and am back to Singapore. I am thinking of going back to lodge with the tourist police and get my refund but i am afraid will they harm me along my return trip to the airport or back to Spore as my address is written on the receipt.
Please advise.
And so far have any of you got your refund, i mean receive the amount in your account and not just credit voucher.
HI Gizelle, please confirm that you bought the jewellery from Yindee??

yes, i bought it from yindee. Who are you afraid will harm you? The police can accompany you to the shop if you request them too - nothing to worry about if police are there. I spoke to a lady, Why dont you call and speak to them first. They might be able to assist without you having to return. THey have dealt with me 2 days ago so they will def remember the name. tell them you spoke to me. I dont beleive that you require any gemology report. i did not. I jsut took copies of all these blogs. I got my money back in CASH, i did not trust the credit voucher procedure - thought the police felt certain if it went through them they can track you getting your cash back. hope you sort it out. Its terrible that this happens.

Hi BC
I insisted that my money be returend that day. I got distressed at the polcie station so i think they took me seriously. Try and get it done all on that day and take the police with you. Insist on cash.
Also quick note to others, the monks on the street begging for money are NOT MONKS!

WHy cant you people just relax and enjoy Thailand like the rest of us.
Spend your money on cheap food and drinks and nice hotels , not expensive "deals".......

Thanks Gizelle. I think I should be going down to bbk next week to get my refunds. Will update again.

Hi Gizelle,

I was scammed too and I'm so glad that you're able to get your money back. At least a success story. I think I'll call the Bangkok police station for help before I go Bangkok to get my refund.

Is anyone have the Bangkok police hotline?

Is there anyway that we can appeal from Visa or Master Credit Card for the scam purchase especially with the proof of this website?

Thanks Gizelle. How much was your purchases? Will make plans to go down. So at the police station, the tourist police did all the talking with the shop people? At any time was the phone passed to you for you to speak to the shop people ??

Darren, I also have the same thoughts... appeal to visa or master credit card with the proof of this website.

Has anyone approach the Dept of Internal Trade?? Heard that If the refund is credit voucher, which i am not comfortable. also the jewellery wull be kept by the authorities until the refund is received by the victim and this could be like 3 weeks. So please advise, which is the best approach. which direction to move??....Headache...

I think if going to Bangkok again for refund is necessary, I suggest we can go by group. I think the chances is higher that police force will take it more seriously on these scam cases.

What do you think?

The Police are not to be trusted.
They could shut down many of these scammers overnite.

If it sounds too good to be true it is fake. This being thailand, it is a buyer beware market for everything. It saddens me to read the tales of the gem scams, as there are good gemstones to be had here IF you know where to look. That being said, IF a thai speaks engrish too well, they are scamming you, as this culture is soo 'face-loss' oriented most thais wouldn't speak for fear of speaking wrong and losing 'face'. IF you are approached by a thai speaking engrish too well, BEWARE. The temples here don't close, there is no one-day-only sale, and nothing is what it seems.
For those whose credit cards were charged higher than the sale price, your only avenue is to dispute the charge with your credit provider. Believe me it's not the first time they've had a dispute over a c/c transaction in thailand.

Already book flight to tap on Monday's public holiday !! Yes, the only avenue is to dispute the charge and it takes abt 60 days processing . Anyway I provided the credit card provider the link to the gem scam site.

I spent 1800 aud on the jewelery. i went throught the tourist police not the other police. Credit card compnay cannot reverse transaction if you have signed for item, but can dispute it later and can try to get money back to you. You can tell the police to tell the shop that they can either give you cash back now or when you get home, you will keep the jewelery and dispute the transaction!!! That might make them reconsider. I didnt speak to shop - police did all that until i went to shop to collect my cash. when you get there, do not provide them with your credit card details again - they will ask for them but you can say you left your card at home. Police shut these places down, they then reopen under another name. Although, Yindee has been doing this since 2002.
I did not go to BKK for jewelery, just a relaxing break away from stressful job. Locals (inc police)basically convey the message, "well you are the stupid / greedy tourist for buying it". What they dont understand is that this is not the point. It is fraud. Ultimately, toursim will suffer if Thai people dont stand against it more strongly. I suppose they dont think of all of that.
Really hope it all goes well.

Hi fellow members of the scamed by the thais club
i have just returned from bangkok and i was scamed 2 days ago by the same means that everyone else has been it leaves a really bad taste in your mouth and i will not go back to thailand i did not buy through greed ,just a present for my wife but it really has no appeal to it now and i am £1500 worse off wrecked my holiday and just a thought i gave the sales woman my driving licence which was photo copied and has details about me along with my card details .these people are criminals so i have cancelled my card just incase they try to make use of my details its all a bit scary.

omg!!! i js got fraud!! who can help me to get back money? any guidance? i lost rm4000 buy a ring for my lovely wife.. pls email me ok..? This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I'm sorry but anyone that falls for this scam is just plain dumb. Before I travel ANYWHERE I investigate my destinations. I check to see what public holidays/celebrations will co-incide with my trip, places to visit, landmarks, weather and another thing I check is if there are any scams to watch out for. Easy to do, I found this site just by typing "Bangkok scams" into Google.

Buying jewellery usually is expensive to buy but it is usually very difficult to sell away unless very famous or unique stones. Cheating this way is very unethical and tarnishes the image and effort of the Thai tourism board to promote the country.

Land of smile becomes the Land of smiling crooks. Very disappointed with Thailand where the basic 4 pillars of Buddhism is not practiced in a land where Buddhism is the primary religion.

To a certain extent couldn't the same be said for most things bought anywhere in the world on holiday. If you buy an ornament of some type and then see it in another shop far cheaper do you run back to the place of purchase and say you've been scammed. Hasn't it always been a case of 'buyer beware'. If the gems are not real then and they have taken more than agreed from your credit card then of course this is disgraceful but if you have simply paid more for something than it is worth then I have had that happen with every purchase in Thailand. Every carving or ornament you will find elsewhere far cheaper. At the end of the day if you like it and you are happy to pay that particular amount then that is really down to you.

Kali - No, it couldn't. The point is the sellers said the product was worth double the amount paid (in the buyers home country), after the buyers were taken to the shop under false pretences.... And the 'employee of the Pratunam comlex' advised the visitor not to visit the wonderful sight of the Grand Palace because of the problems. It's a real shame.

Its clear that most visitors to Thailand see a lot more ATM machines then temples.

Hi, I'm from Indonesia.
Got scammend for THB 88,000 at Erawan Lapidary.
Will going back to bangkok at 16 January 2009. Are there any fellow Indonesian who got scammed also?

Scammers are greeting tourists at the Airport and harrassing them the entire time they are in Thailand.
Until the TAT/Police do something to protect visitors, a boycott is appropriate.

It is still you who make the decision to follow any good advices you hear. Seems like many people here being scammed do not know jewellery well, like metal content, grade of gemstone etc. You are just buying based on hearsay. What can I say?

I had enjoyed Thaialnd and knowing to side-step the usual tourist haunts is where I get to enjoy the people and culture of Thailand. Swadee khrap.

I agree I dont understand people buying expensive things in foreign countries without knowing what they are buying. When I buy stones in Holland I buy them with a reliable garantee in a reliable shop. If they trick me I know where to sew them. The other side of the medal is the efficient use of psychological tricks and the use of a payed infrastucture of Tuk Tuk and taxidrivers, as well as commission haslers, using often (holy) templegrounds to catch their victems. Its very good these things are exposed here. You cannot only blame the buyers. I think publishing here those things has already had results

I just came back from BKK few days back. On my 2nd day, this Thai lady outside Pratunum Centre blocked us from crossing the road to Erawan Shrine, saying ".... closed cos cleaning", asking us to go Lucky Buddha temple, claiming that its better. My bf just shrugs and dragged me to cross the road. When we reached the shrine, its crowded and no one is mopping the floor. We didnt think much of it. On the 3rd day, outside Central World a Thai guy claiming to be a lawyer from the building approached us, asking where we are from, going where(we were going PLatinum), and claiming a Lucky Buddha temple will fufill all wishes and he kept on repeating himself...saying he's a lawyer, even showing us his work pass (of course its in Thai language so dont understand). Anyway he kept emphasizing on how accurate this LUcky Buddha is and open once a month cos its Buddha Day and all shops will be closed until 1 pm, after which a big sale wll happen). Suddenly a tuktuk came pass and without our acknowlegement, this guy ask the tuk tuk driver to bring us to the temple for 30 bhat and says to us not to give the driver more. When we reach the temple, there're no devotees but a few stray dogs and cats. After praying, the tuk tuk driver led us to an air conditioned room with a Chinese Thai man who speaks excellent English. This man showed us the address of Singapore devotees whose wish came true after praying to the orange-red sapphire Buddha. Even giving us the address of a Thai export co if we wish to buy the orange-red gem. At this point of time, me and bf still didnt think of it as a scam. When we left the room, the tuk tuk driver took a long trip to Platinum Mall, en-route stopping at a jewellry store which we believe is the export co. The driver even says no need to buy, just go in 1 min to see. Gosh, the stuff are so expensive. Luckily i dont have much cash on hand to buy anything and its freaking fugly. The sales girl emphasize that even Poh Heng, Lee Hwa and Poh Kong from Malaysia wil buy from them. BS.......Anyway i haven no intrst in anything, just thank the sales lady for the intro and left for our destination. Only in the evning i realised its a scam. and we encountered twice!!!!!! Damn those people,

@tx

If you go back to Bangkok, you may contact Mr. Suchat of DiT

I sent him email last week and get his quick response:


The buyer need to make complaint at my office:
Center of Complaints room 20301
Internal Trade Building
Ministry of Commerce
44/100 Nonthaburi 1 Rd. Muang district, Nonthaburi 11000
Tel. 025475356

Center of Complaints
Dit

Mr. Suchat's email address:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We just returned from a Bangkok Pattaya trip 2 days back arranged thru' Orange holidays, Bangalore. A group of 6 families were returning from pattaya to Bangkok and were taken to a 'Gem Factory' called VSK international which is about 1 hour drive from pattaya. Were shown a film show of the VSK which was touted as the biggest in the world having their own mines etc. The jewelry showroom is as big as a football stadium an very impressive to look at. We were all brain washed into buying jewels all together amounting to about a Rs.100,000 (INR). After coming back home and checking with experienced gemologists the gems and jewelry is complete junk not even worth a few hundred rupees.This is an organised scam and swindinling of highest order.It cannot possibly be going on without collussion of Thai authorities and local police. We are totally dismayed that we could be fooled like this and I want to know whom to complain to in India and whether the Thai consulate ill entertain this complaint.Now i see the receipt given is in the name of KK jewlry whereas the factiry was called VSK International.

There have been many reports on this Sumeet, if you trawl through the site there is a guy that might be able to help you. Paying for banners outside of the Thai consulate calling them thieves..... after you have written to their ambassador complaining.... doubt you will get a reply though.... good luck

Seems if you contact Mr. Suchat's and press the issue you mite get back 80% of your money,

I wonder how Mr. Suchat's and the scam gem shops divvy up the 20%

20% profit on nothing actually lost by the gem shop is a good markup

Mikey, i always thought this as well....Mr Suchat is hardly livng in a shack!.... I am of the opinion he is taking his 10 per cent for sure... For all our friends coming over here now I call itnthe Land of Scams so they are preapred to look through the superficial beauty and I call it the Land of Scams.......... For travel magazines, newspapers overseas etc I am informing them of our peoples tricks... karma will repay these people two fold!

I have written to suchat and am still awaiting his response. Tourists are naive and would beleive everything at face value as human psychology is to beleive another person unless we know otherwise. the local travel agency who took us (hired by orange holidays), have continuously conned us. The guide would collect the entry fees for all sight seeing places in advance, she took 500 Bahts for underwater world, 500 for elephant show, 500 for Alcazar show all in Pattaya where we did not realise she was pocketing a big cut as she would shove us inside quickly and obviously the auhtorities are in collussion as I could see any prominent display of the actual entry fees EXCEPT whe we came for the grand palace where again she had collected 600 Bahts and it was prominently written that it is only 350 Bahts, when we questioned her she almost broke down(Now I know she was feigning), said we should not question her integrity and she would just go back leaving us to fend for ourselves.She even took full amount for my 3 year old daughter and only later i would know that it was free entry in most places above for such small children.I wonder where Thai tourism would be without these cheats. they are doing very well for themselves inspite of these scam sters. She refused to give her buissness cards and even took back all the vouchers such that I donot even know what agency she belongs to.ALL IN ALL I WISH I HAD GONE THRU THESE AND OTHER BLOGS BEFORE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN WISER , NOW I HOPE WILL NEVER GET CONNED ANY WHERE ELSE AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE- MORAL -DONOT BELEIVE ANY GUIDE/ANYBODY AT FACE VALUE-DONOT PART WITH YOUR MONEY EASILY.

Surmeet....It can be hard being a toruist, trying to find things out the first time for yourself particularly when you have children in tow... Travel agents in these lands of course will try and make as much as possible and I doubt whether Mr Suchat will be able to help you at all.... it is a learning curve (hard I know).... I realise we are not talking mega bucks here (unlike gem scams) and yes one does feel robbed and insulted, when I googled the elephant show it says B650 for 90 minutes.... its trial and error on your travels... I have known people buy 2 weeks vacation on Koh Samet to arive and find out their vouchers were useless at vast expense. Tourism overseas is like buying items in your own country you shop around until your satisfied!

I called VSK Jewelry to inform them that I would courier back the jewelry which I have discovered is near to no value in my country and had to keep calling as they would only answer in Thai and several calls later somebody with broken english said I should call back in 1 hour. When finally I got somebody who seemed to know English she flatly said it is not their policy to take back anything sold.I reminded her of the tall talk given by her sales girl of international guarantee and the certificate said that return can be made in 30 days and 90% would be refunded.When I calmly told her that i have made a dossier including photo and video evidence of the place (VSK jewelry), that I have readied documents to contact Thai consulate in India and have written to suchat she immly. said that she would send the money once the goods is returned- which she wanted me to return in person which I said is impossible and that I would courier the same.My dilemma is after sending everything including the original bill and certificate what if they cheat again by not sending the money. I have decided to courier the same with photo and video in presence of a senior police official and would like to pursue the matter to its logical end.This place has to shut down if thai's care about their tourism and tourists who they claim are their No.1 income generator.As somebody has mentioned earlier it is not the money but being taken for a ride by a unscrupulous person for a ride is what unsettles me. I personally think that these people flourish as 90% of people donot know when they are conned, and only 10% of the people who are conned(1%) would even do anything about it. Thanks to net we can atleast knpow and learn from others experiences. Kudos foe the admins to start and run this.

To be frankly I wouldnt send anything back at all. Yes they will deny all knowlegde of receipt. Like others before you if you paid by credit card maybe you can claw your money back. Never trust them, it is not Thai policy to refund money! sorry thats a fact here in Thailand.

http://www.thaipulse.com/scams/gem-scams.htm.......http://www.stickmanweekly.com/Reader2007/reader4553.htm....... these are all web sites for the scamming Gem stores and if course they will have changed names etc.
You buy for example a fridge from Tesco Lotus, you would think yes a major company and the fridge doesnt work...... well what a devil of a job you have to get them to change it..... the kettles last 5 minutes... motto of the story yes buy the fake t shirts and the fun rolex watch but as for expensive items buy at home where you have some recourse. I import anything expensive that I want to last from overseas, not forgetting to bribe the customs officer to let the thing thriough c'est la vie!

Most stuff with good international warranties can be imported from Hong Kong and Singapore without much fuss. If you are on a tourist visa the 7 percent you get back minus handling fee will not usually outweigh the cost of repairing or hanging onto faulty items that you could change easily elsewhere in the world.

.........and the king power monopoly price fixing grip over duty free stuff at suvarabhumi airport doesnt help much with bargain shopping.

Good luck to all

I have not heard from either VSK(which over phone said I could send back the jewelry with (ORIGINAL BILL & CERTIFICte) nor from DiT, or from Suchat. I now realise it is a complete con game and none in Thailand actually and genuinely care about tourists, only how nuch they can get out of them legally and illegally and immorally. I too come from a 3rd world country much poorer compared to thailand but can say with certainity that our poor people are not as greedy and conniving as some of these sophisticated cheats.I am nevertheless going to pursue this wrting to more authorities in thai, to their newspapers, highlighting the elaborate swindle, by now the place must have morphed changing its name.See the near perfect crime- the tourits who have not enough time are forcibly taken to this place 1 hour from Pattaya enroute to Bangkok(Even if I come back Iam not sure if Iwill find this wretched place).There is a huge sign board (VSK INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY), prominent boards saying ISO9000- which from Indian experience I know is another money making organisation giving its stamp for a fees. My co traveller(one of the onlly of the 6 families not to buy), noticed that the so called 'factory' was showing old junk machinery(WE saw it from a distance) where there one or two persons loitering around, the elaborate film showed the process of mining etc, there ws even a board mentioning this had some kind of govt. sanction. All it takes these thugs if the heat is turned on them is to overnight change the name to any other - PISS jewelrs may be by this time.I am sure if I return to thailand after 10 years(I probably will never), these looters will be there perhaps with more branches and operating in bigger scale.When I asked innocently if i could buy in their Bangkok outlet or airport, their sales suervisor said, people from all over thailand come here only, as they are able to give such low prices being away from city and at the site of the 'factory' which was govt.owned and they have no other branches any where.I am sure there are some other such 'factories' in existence as this is a near perfect setting for a sophisticated crime, the original palace gem scams almost look amateur in comparision.

Hi guys

Why don't you collectively prepared a petition and present it to the Thai consulate? Another thing you could do is contact "Current Affairs" or a tv program that do investigative journalism on scams and fraud. What I would also do is to take out an ad to advertise their scams.

Thank you so much for sharing your stories here. It has been invaluable to me. I am so sorry that you had encountered such horrible experinces in any country. I am only grateful that I stumbled on this site before I went to visit Phuket.

I do hope that you will recover your loss.

Thanks for the advise LEE, We did just that by calling thai consulates in Delhi and Mumbai, but their opinion was that it was a legal case and they could not help much, I was then told to mail the details to the trade affairs director of Thai(Ironically charged with duty to promote trade between India and thai!!). We have writen and expectedly there is no reply and repeated calls to their mumbai office, I could not get to speak to her. I will write to some news papers in Thailand to see if they would be interested to take up the matter to investigate.

Suneet.... you would be wasting your time writing to the newspapers in Bangkok sorry to say. If you are following some of the blogs eg Naive from Hong Kong, he will come back to Bangkok and go and see Mr S. and he maybe lucky. Treat yourselves to another small vacation, fax him the numbers are in these blogs and arrange a meeting, cant think of what else to do. How much did you get scammed for anyway please?

try posting on http://ripoffreport.com/

it gets worldwide attention.

and be sure to email a link of the complaiints to the thai business so they can see they are going to be known worldwide as scum

Thanks for the responses and advise.I am not sure if I should feel any better that I have the company of so many people who have similarly been scammed and that I was not the only naive person! I lost 15,000 Bahts (21.000 Indian rupees), and the value of all the 5 families trvelling with me is approximately 100.000 rupees(65,000 Bahts). will post this on ripoffreport too.Unfortunately returning to thailand is not an option for me as it is way too expensive.

is anyone have guidance to get back rm4000 for buying a set of wedding ring?

we both very upset met this kind of problem.. we just came back from bangkok and find out the rings are not valuable.. Please help me. pls..

Hey every one you have talking to much i think thailand is a tourist destination but the percent of been scam was lower than other country like singapore ,India,malaysia,europe,america africa.I been in india and been scam of yellow sapphire more worst than Thailand beacuase it is all fake one.Good luck

The same thing happened to me and my husband 2 days ago. I got the security guard from our hotel to accompany me to the tourist police station. I was offerred by a very disinterested police officer - 100% of my money back (after she called and arranged for the shop assistnat to attend the police station) in a credit voucher. I refused very sternly and stated I wanted my money back in cash and wanted to lodge a police complaint. I was told that by police and hotel security the best I could expect was a 70% refund, in CREDIT NOTE form. I refused and got a little stern. The police woman then called the shop and negotiated a 90% refund CASH. I went to the shop and got 90% in CASH back. The people at the store didnt even bother to ask why I wanted the refund! I had taken printed emails of all of these blogs with me to the station - showing the scam had been going on since 2002. The police must have told the store this. When I got to the shop the same people who sold me the dodgy goods had the nerve to smile, offer me water and thank me for coming in! Had to sign a form saying that I was so grateful to the company for agreeing to give me a refund, blah blah. I was escorted out of the shop firmly by the security person who accompanied me there - he became very upset when I tried to tell other people in the shop that it was a scam. He ushered me out and told me that the mafia were there - and "many big men waiting" behind the scenes. Felt terrible about not being able to stop it happening to other people. Im sure the police know it goes on, and even though they will frustrate you to tears (ie by watching TV while you are telling them the details of your complaint), they have to be seen to be doing something. I say your best bet is to get the police involved.

This was happened to me & my friend yesterday. Can I stop the bank to release the money?

Been conned by yindee few years back. One word to describe, "greed". In the end, we managed to get 100% refund. The only advice I can give is to return to Bangkok and get police involved. Prior to that, get help from thai embassy in your country.

The Police are getting worse, much worse.
They are not even hiding the scams..they are untouchable and getting bolder.
They could lock you up in a heartbeat on false charges and nothing you could do. A Thai lawyer will even screw you out of your last baht and go drinking with the cops.
Don't ever get angry with a Thai Cop or Official.

Yes, if anyone takes on one Thai they are taking on all 65 million of them.

This isnt back home, a different culture and a very different place.

Thais react to anger angrily or indifferently and you dont score any points blowing your top especially with the Police.

Behave yourself be a good ambassador for your home country, think alot and be careful and polite out there!

This is a country also where racism is rife. All ills in society are blamed on farangs often with little evidence to prove it.

The perception of a few foreign idiots who come to Thailand to take drugs, chuck money around, drink excessively and behave violently is used to tarnish the reputation of all foreign visitors.

This sucks but it is the general rule of thinking to many in Thailand and a handy excuse to beat someones brains out or throw them off the top of buildings (happens regularly) with little police or embassy recourse.

In short dont act like a prat and you should enjoy yourself.

The perception of... Yes they complain a lot about farang behaviour. But I wrote it before already: cheap prostitutes are their main tourist attraction. When someone wants to make some quick money by opening a cheap brothel, he should complain about the kind of customers coming to his place. If they do something against sexindustrie, a different type of tourist will visit Thailand. But not far as many as there are coming now

Cheap prostitutes are not the main tourist attraction.

There is a lot to see in Thailand besides the sex industry, which most tourists do stay away from especially those who come as families.

How about in Bangkok some of the best shopping malls in the world, amazing temples all over the country, amazing peaceful beaches in many locations, restaurants from all over the worlds cuisines at great prices, reasonably priced transport around the country, year round sunshine - what a great place for a vacation!

Where in that last list was the sex industry mentioned? It wasnt because Thailand has so much more to offer than seedy rubbish which you could get in any bad end of town, anywhere in the world.

..........also world class hotels, medical care, dental care at reasonable prices that many farangs couldnt get in their own countries. Bumrungrad hospital, BNH are up there with the hospitals in more developed countries.

The business model in Thailand is to over staff meaning there are very few queues for things and employment for many- a big change from the west where cutting out staff is the objective of just about every business and screw the customer, let 'em wait for overpriced stuff so we can maximise profit.

The sex industry although very obvious and visable only represents a small percentage of the Thai workforce, this country has alot to offer besides the negative stuff like the sex trade, scams and corruption.

So why is it that on so many Thailand forums like Stickman or others (even here) there is some much to read about problems with Thai women, Pat Pong bars etc. Of course Australia has its backstreets too. But In forums about tourisme to Australia you hardly read about these issues. Why , you think?

When I open my hotmail I see, I didnt ask for it, a lot of Thai ladies appearing, adverticement for dating sides. Same on Thailandforums. One must be willingly blind not to see the importance of sexindustry in Thailand.
There is a lot to see in Thailand,yes. But unlike you I prefer to avoid hospitals and dentists on my holidays. Then I would rather visit a prostitute.

The "culture" that makes prostitution somehow OK is flawed. In the west many prostitutes do what they do because they are addicted to drugs, most people would not touch the working girls or the areas in their own country with a fifteen foot pole but in Thailand many girls work in the sex industry because it is a life style choice and the red light areas are very central and relatively crime free and so attract foreign tourists. Who am I to judge if they are having a good lifestyle or a bad one if no one is being hurt?

The websites mentioned do asides from this one tend to cater for people who are in some way involved with the night scene or once were but have married on. Nothing wrong with that but the whole issue of prostitution away from drugs is a personal choice and the problems afterwards from this are relationship, cultural and financial difficulties and could happen in any country no matter if the people are Thai or other nationalities

Personally I only visit the dentist here for a six monthly check up and have an annual check up with the doctor but there are people who do need urgent medical care that can recieve it at a reasonable price without waiting in Thailand.

I am a firm advocate of any person coming for plastic surgery to this country of saying DONT. Bumrungrad Hospital has had many many issues, do not be fooled by the "hotel atmosphere" they say they are accredited they are NOT. If an operation goes wrong you have no recourse at all. Drs say they are UK/American trained this means nothing at all. Yes there are good hospitals around but quite honestly a hospital is only as good as its Drs., and too much evidence around to say there are many scams in hospitals as well!.
We wont talk about the black market trade in "body parts", leave that to another day! lol.... they thai censors have r emoved the site "death at Bumrungrad" by Joshua Goldberg's father from the states, but it didnt make pretty reading at all! Read the book Coma, well this was Coma in reality.

What do you really know about Thai prostitution? Most Thai prostitutes are addicted to Yar bar formaly called yar maa cheap amfitamines from Myamar or Cambodia. There is a lot more aids there as well. Besides there are many, very many prostitutes from Myamar and Cambodia They dont have a working permit in Thailand and are exploited by Thai or farang criminals. If you think there is no crime in Pat Pong or Pattaya your naif. Read newspapers. And maybe poverty could have something to do with all those Esan girls going into prostitution?
Did you ever visit one of those government hospitals for poor Thai people? I did. Not the clean big smile places were you go. In the Esan I have seen screamin patients waiting in front of the door for hours

To Sammie
Though it's common to hear that both police & embassy are useless but one must not give up the fight, we didnt and got back our full 100%. Like some said, treat the return as a vacation. I am relieved that victory was sweet in the end, never in our wildest dreams that it was so straight forward at the police post where the return of items was done. Remember, if you do nothing, you get nothing.

Ahheng,
delighted you got your money back, I love a success story. Remember many people do not discover the gems are fakes and they have been scammed until they reach their homeland and then they have to either come back , get someone else to do help them or give up . You were lucky you had time on your side.!

The names of these policeofficers should be published here. Its good to here something positive about Thai police

Me too recently got scammed by this "gem scam". Was thinking of going back to Bangkok to get a refund but too scared to do so. ahheng, could you please let me know which police station you went to get a refund? did u just walked into the police station and they settled the matter immediately or do u have to go back to the police station in a few days time to settle the matter? well, i need to book my flight back.

about Bumrungrad Hospital

my daughter was there 3 years ago, the only thing I noticed was they were still using old style syrangies. ( glass with screw on needle) not the disposable plastic type.

made me wonder what else they did to save a few cents

Mikey its always difficult to know what to do for the best in emotional situations, but I am sure you wouldnt allow this to happen again.

ERAWAN LAPIDARY – another success story

I have a same story as everybody here „how I have been scam in Bangkok “.

Long story short :tuk tuk ,Lucky budha ,Erawan lapidary ,160000BTH gone for a crap.

Probably as other of you I found later on internet a true about Erawan´s gem scam.

So I contact Mr. Suchat by email .All answers from DiT was :it´s really hard to negotiate with the store without the buyer .Whatever I wrote them ,the answer was still the same.

I was really despert that time ,so I contacted almost all department´s in my country (Czech rep ) which has anything with Thailand .Nobody help.

So I started call to Department of internal trade ,but most of the time I they told me that Mr.Suchat is not there and I should send him email…I did ,but he never answer back.

Than I wrote to Czech embassy in BKK and explain everything….finally someone how want´s to help me…Czech consul was the key!!!

He started to call Mr. Suchat a found some informations about the gems scams.

After that Suchat sent me email about the Thai lawyer called Tipaporn Sirwatana,that she can help to get 100% back and she will keep 20% for her .

I emailed her ,she always wrote me back:I am sorry but this time we are helping to get a full refund for a canadien student.

Sent that to Suchat and he sent me back email with contact for this Canadien student.

He told ,that DiT and everything in Thailand goes really slow and I have to be patient and never stop to bother them.

So I sent DiT two email´s every week.After 22 emails with no answer they wrote me back , that I can send them the gems and all papers and they will try to get refund for me.But they can´t guarantee how much it will be.I did not trust them of course , after everything happen ,so I call to Czech embassy and the consul told me ,that he met Mr.Suchat personally and it should be save.He also told me ,that he is going to visit Erawan lapidary to see what is going on there.

I sent the package with gems,certificate,receipt to DiT via regular post as they told me .
That was week with out sleep ,because if the package got lost ,I had nothing.
But it´s arrived ok…About 2 weeks later Suchat sent me email which say :after many many talks with the store they will give you 80 % back .

I called to Czech consul again to make sure ,that Suchat don’t wanna cheat me somehow .
He told me that he already went to Erawan lapidary to figure refund .
He told to manager of the store ,that this situation is unacceptable and he maintain to give me back 100% of my money.Manager told ,that I sign paper which says I agree with 80%.
He told him that it´s invalid ,because it´s obvious scam and if I not gonna get 100% back ,all the people from the store going to “black list” and never will have have any visa to EU and also he will visit the general manager of BKK gems fair and tell him about scams of Erawan.
Manager told that they don’t care and 80% is the most I can get.

After about 2 hours consul took pictures of manager and the store and left.
He told me to agree with 80% because it seems that behind these scams are lot more people.

So I sent Mr. Suchat email ,that agree with 80 % and after about two weeks later I recive my money via my Visa card.


All of this was horrible life experience ,took about 6 months ,lot of stress and also some money.

If you just got scam ,my advice is:
-if you can ,fly back to BKK asap ,visit Mr.Suchat (if you there personally he has much more power and I sure you will get more of your money back ).The money for ticket will worth it.Trust me!
-If you can not :BE PATIENT
-Contact your embassy in BKK
-Call to DiT ( 6625475356 ) all the time and ask for Mr. POE (it´s hard to understand Suchat English )

-Try the lawyer : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 660836877100

I used program Voipwise for calling there (1 min=0,03 E)

I thank´s god ,that I have my money back and I am going to use part of money for charity.

I wish good luck to everybody who was scam…

(sorry about my english ,maybe admin can fix grammar)

rozsi

good to hear you are pleased with the outcome, still, 20% of 160000BTH is a good profit for all ( them) involved to divvy up.

you ended up with nothing, they got 20%

it still a scam, just more persons involved in bending you over the barrell

Well done Rozsi, you did amazingly well and I must say your embassy did you proud. I am so pleased for you. What beats me is this must be a scam of decades and yet they still are allowed to trade. Anyway well done with your perserverance

The scammers kept $1000 USD and you are happy?
Thailand. Not safe for tourists any longer I'm afraid.

I understand buying you signed a paper giving you rights to 80% refund? Because afterwards is said by your consul not to be valid? Or did you have to sign the paper to get your refund of 80%. If you had the paper allready (you had a copy?) you didnt win anything. You had it written down and they had to refund you 80% anyway. They still made a very good deal. What surprises me mostly is that they allowed take pictures. What will be done with those pictures? In their place I wouldnt have allowed it.
Another thing I would have the gems valued somewhere else.
Why didnt the consul help you with that? A certificate of the real value?
That certificate in combination with a copy of the bill would make the scam well proved.
Besides were not you curios to know the real value?

Let me ask you are these jewellers TAT recommended?

160000 bath worth gems. What did you want to do with it? Your privat collection? Smuggle to your country? Or pay the regular import taxes requiered? What about Thailand export taxes? Did you inquire befor buying. Did your consul may be ask these questions?

for Chuck: yes , I am kind of happy with 80% back even if I lost 1000 bucks!Everything I had to go thru was so stressfull and I thought ,that I never gonna have anything back.
I was thinking to flew back to BKK and figure 100% back ,but ticket cost about 1000USD other expense - will cost more I think.
I realize that was a scam ,but I took it this like a life experience...

Anyway Bangkok is shitty city ,not cheap anymore (bottle Heineken cost almost same as at Waikiki Hawaii ) ,smiling people..?Maybe after they scam you!

Next trip to Thailand will be straight to Kho pha ngan.....totally difrent!I recomend this island for vacation and party...forget about stay few days in BKK!!!

You sent them back from Europe I understand? Tried to sell them there? What did they tell you about the value?

4 Theo :Yes ,I sent them back to BKK from Europe .
The real value of the set I bought was about 1/4 of the price a paid for...

If I was sending gems back to Singapore I would research my import duties first, secondly I would consult a gems dealer so I would know what I was dealing with. I would prefer to pay over the odds and get the real thing then allow these mercedes driven scammers take my money end of...

I am pretty sure the quality gems are shipped out of thailand to shops all over the world, the remaining "crapola" is sold to tourists.

only a small percentage of those ripped off bother to get a refund.

after all, going by thai logic it is your fault because you came to thailand ( same logic applies in traffic mishaps)

Rozci I still think you were lucky in a way. Somebody wrote here the merchadise was intercepted as far as I remember in Canada by border employes. If she wanted the packed she had to pay inporttax (and fine?) over the sum paid in Bangkok. Odd enough not over the real value. Would have been considerable. If it had been intercepted on the way back by Thai borderemployes or postemployes they probably would have contacted the shop and made a deal to let the parcel disappear.
Then you wouldnt have got back anything. No merchandise, no case.
It surprises me that the shop didnt accuse you of switching the stones.
Your embassy is magnificent

The question is if what they do is illegal. They sold you stones but far overprised. If the merchadise, kind of stones size weight corresponds with whats mentioned on the receipt, then you just paid to much. Like when I buy a washingmachine I will find depending on the shop differences up to 200 dollars in price. When I buy in the first shop I visit and find out afterwards that I could have bought it 200 cheaper elswhere, I cannot accuse the first shop of a crime.
Same with the stones.
They target tourists because they found out they are easy victems

Theo.
It's called fraud.
A social norm in Thailand I'm afraid.

I dont want to defend them. I only say that if the merchandise corresponds with the certifacates...
If they sell you gold claiming it is 23K but it is 18K its fraud. You pay for 23K But if they say you its 18K but you are willing to pay for 24K you have yourself to blame. Of course they lie They will tell you you can sell the stones for twice the value back home. But to call that fraud or crime? Maybe a lawyer can tell us some more

Its highly imoral what they do and they should close the shops. But thats my point. May be they just walk on the edge. Between crime and legal business. May be they have protection, maybe its difficult to do something against them. The seem very selfconfident. Threatening with lawyers hardly has any effect.

The legal standpoint is the question, did the shop knowingly over inflate the price of the gems relative to their genuine worth?

Commodities like gems, gold and platinum have values that fluctuate constantly and have no fixed price other than what the customer is willing to pay.

If the shop is offering goods at a price and someone pays that price and recieves the goods then legally it is not fraud.

The issue come from the known extreme overpricing and / or lies told to sell those gems and it is difficult to prove.

An example is for instance a 18k gold Rolex has around 120 grammes of 18k, gold at around 900 dollars a troy ounce (24k) when mixed with other alloys values that watch in raw terms at around 2700 dollars US or close to 4000 dollars US including manufacturing costs of the workings and the gold together.

Making that watch costs money too and so on and so on until the watch is retailled at around 22000 dollars US in the same kind of plush show room used at these jewellery shops.

Manufacturing, advertising, retail overheads, staff all play their part in affecting the value of that watch.

In comparisson the gemstones in question are mined, worked and retailled too and of course everyone gets their 10 cents worth for their trouble.

The only legal fault here is the deception based on a misleading description of products worth in the salesmans spiel and any buyer should get strong written evidence from local experts about the perceived value of the stones to base his case on for refund or compensation.

How the hell can u say "inflate" IT IS PURE FRAUD GET A GRIP MAN AND OPEN YOUR EYES it is utter fraud!!!

Theo, It will be a problem closing the stores down because the owners of these shops have an understanding of Thai law to the extent that they can take advantage of loopholes within it.

The "on paper" legitimacy of these businesses and the amount of time they have kept going is testament to this. The only way to deal with these scam merchants is not to give them any of your money. Hope this site helps people to avoid the scams in advance.

Oh, anti pighoglet, what is wrong with being married to a Thai national?

They usely have the only important quality women need as far as I am concerned: Good looking

Yes I agree with you, to close these shops down must be difficult, and yes they must know the ropes. You dont see Thais shopping in these places, of course Singaporean, Korean & Japanese all potential victims. You see in Patpong, Phuket & Pattaya periodical police raids on vendors selling fake goods, but you never see the police raiding these so called gem shops, so it does make you wonder who is in the background!

Yes, Its more visible and easy to break up some teenagers selling fake DVDs around Nana as a publicity stunt for the benefit of the Bangkok Post than it is to raid a large company that is obviously paying rake offs to those in authority to turn a blind eye.

The only way to hurt those in charge of scam companies is not to part with your money.

Here is a task for the touristguide books. The warnings are there but not read. If, lets say the Lonely Planet would publish warnings about scammers fat printed on one off their first pages a lot of scams might not happen. Most people buy that book before they go to Thailand but they appear not to read the warnings, or too late

There are some signs around Bangkok warning of the scams, a good example is the large one at the Tokyu side of the MBK centre warning against taking tuk tuks and taxis from elsewhere than the designated area. Also warns about accepting offers of food, drink and transport from strangers.

Better warnings in the guide books would be a help, they are already warning people in the "Whats on in Bangkok" tourists (after dark version) publication available from most hotel lobbies so thats a positive side. Information and good advice is everything here and makes the scam fail if people are wise to it from the outset.

You are well informed. At least it proofs that a lot of Thais are not happy with this either. It damages tourist industry. Same about the "closed eyes" of the police concerning the scams. Just ask the average Thai what he thinks about the police. He probably will have more or less the same opinion as most of the anti Thailand writers here.

The average Thai being pressured by the police has no other recourse compared to foreign visitors who have their embassies, consulates etc.

The corruption makes a living hell for Thais at the lower end of the income scale, its obscene.

Never thought I was particularly lucky not being Thai in Thailand but most foreigners lives here are a breeze compared to those local Thais being taxed or harrassed at will with no one to protect them.

Big business and organised crime is dragging this country down. Aspects of the culture are double edged, non-confronatational means nothing gets done and the scammers exploit this, the less you know it seems the better because this is not going to change overnight.

You cannot fight because you are outnumbered, you cannot complain because you will be found at fault.

Organised crime with a respectable face stinks and is the basis of the most lucrative scams.

Their are examples enough of confrontation just regard political turmoil and the high murder rate in Thailand. Violence between students and so on. Whats true is they dont seem to be able to reach concensus by talking. Like the notorious polder model here in the Netherlands. They just sent tanks in the streets or use like tarksin did extreme violence in the South. This dispite of all the tourist guides telling us that Buddhisme had so much influence on Thai culture.
I only see them perform Buddhist rituals. They will pray for succes in business and more money.
The main subject of conversation, as I found out beginning to understand Thai language, isnt buddhisme but money. I talked to a lot of university students and they seemed completely ignorant and not interested in the world beyond Thai borders. Most didnt even know what kind of government Laos has. (I was wearing a T shirt I bought in Laos with a hammer and Sickel. communist symbols. Wasnt it dangerous to wear there? I could have ended up in jail they ment) They seem to be only interested in material things. With such a mentality it should surprise anyone that there is corruption, greed and violence in Thailand.

The only way they reach consensus in politics is again! money!! Think about the politicians locked up in hotel to prefent them getting bribed!! No moral MONEY. You want a coalition? You want in government? I support you if it brings me enough money. Thats Thailand. And it is like that from the bottom to the top.

Somebody posted pictures of the scammers.
They are working next to the TAT Info booths and Police Box.
I guess it is true, the Police are scamming tourists.
PICTURES:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=273458&page=6

This is the link.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=676476&page=6

The scams are happening in Chaing mai too.

Yes Chaingg Mai guy, it is epidemic and actually what Theo has written is to true of the situation.

Pighoglet, what you write is in the main correct, We live in Thailand, so I guess its easy to know what to avoid etc etc. You are married to a Thai and therefore the potential scammer probably knows to give you a wide berth. What concerns me are stories like David from Australia who was able to look after himself but what an immoral and dangerous way to run a country, someone going with his wife to buy a meal, set upon by thugs, this could be our kids, or our youth just wanting a quiet night out. I have ordered drinks in a Phuket hotel before now, 2 gin and tonics bill=B1500, a normal everyday ** hotel. We are talking about the Oriental! So now, it is menu please, and I pay for each drink as it arrives, not wait for the bill. Where possible I like to see the drink being poured and a fresh tonic please, not some half opened warm bottle left over from the night before! All those grand looking restaurants on the sea front are given a wide birth by us, we enjoy the family run B40 places, take our own grog, and order ice and mixer, this is what the thai people do so when in Rome! Some posters have scribed farang being tight, sure some can be, to get scammed for the odd 100B, OK its not much if your earning, but when the scams are becoming so sophisticated then the country has to start becoming concerned particularly when foreigners safety is at stake.

I think that Patong over everywhere else in Thailand that I have travelled is the place most tied up with ripping off the tourist, everything there commands a premium even the normal businesses. Not in a hurry to return there for sure with 400 baht tuk tuk minimum price for short journey!

I feel sorry for the first timers, just regular tourists who often are only asking for directions and instead of help get ripped off with the threat of violence if they dont pay their over inflated bills.

Yes, it helps if you know a Thai when you visit the Royal Palace and Wat Po. I went with te rak and didnt get any hassle at all, even took a tuk tuk from there to a restaurant with no detours.

Casting my mind back it seems I was very lucky on my first visit to Thailand. When I was exploring and got lost I did ask the directions to MBK and got directed down a side street to a jewellery company but I said to my "helper" that it wasnt MBK and I didnt want any jewellery, suits, handicrafts, etc etc etc!

I have to admit that a lot of times, especcialy in Mor Chit busstation with taxidrivers I lost my temper.
Often especially when in company of a Thai woman I hear their insults. I am usely called Yak ( meaning those scary making templegards, probably because of my weightroom sized body) and my female company is a Pattaya hooker. Several times (I loose my temper easily) I have been standing shouting to them in english and Thai '("HAM MEN! usely works!)
Then you she them stupitly smile for a while and leave.

I am from Singapore and I also got scam yesterday. Did any Singaporean got scam and manage to get your money back?

There is a website dedicated to Singaporeans against the Thai Gem Scam.
The TAT won't do anything so it's up to foreigners to warn each other.

Can we go and complain at the thailand embassy at Singapore?

They wont care. Write a few letters to newspapers and websites.
Something will be done when the hotel owners start going bankrupt.

joey:

good plan, the website part anyway.

I doubt any of the papers woud be brave enough to take up the issue ( thai news anyway)

The people are totally oblivious of any wrong doing, the farang is always wrong, its indoctrination to a higher degree. When a Thai lends money to another Thai to pay back is inconceivable. Ask Father Joe Meyer or Sister Joan from the slums in Bangkok they have seen every trick in the book! If you come to Thailand as a tourist, watch your purse strings/credit cards,passports, your luggage at the airports and leave, hopefully with a smile on your face!

Did anyone tried to dispute the purchase with the credit card company?

I tried calling singapore embassy in bkk and they say they can't help at all. Quite disappointed with their ans as I thought they are suppose to help singaporean. Now I am trying to get help from thailand internal
Affairs and at the same time sending dispute form to my bank. Hopefully the bank can help me and the shop is still open in case I need to return to bkk to get a refund.

Hi Sammie will update you of upcomings once I go to see Mr. Suchat.

I have appointment with Mr. Suchat on April 24 10:00am. Would like to know anyone would also meet him around this week.

Bye for now.

Oh Naive, good to hear from you again, delighted you have an appointment with Mr 10%, hopefully you will receive at least 90% of it back!. There are some other people desperate to know how to go about reaching this man hopefuly you can share your knowledge with them as well. Delighted you got the ball rolling, please do keep us informed. Best wishes

Blur, I believe there has been a success tory or two, it depends on country, bank, credit card company. Why not try alteaantively scan these boards and find out Mr Suchat's number or e mail address Best of luck and good wishes

Mr Suchat and my email yesterday and ask me to make a complaint at his office around 21 to 24 April. Naive, which store did you got cheated at? Which country are u from? Did Mr Suchat going to the store and help you resolve on 24 April? I am also thinking of going but scare to go alone. I am from singapore and got cheated at the golden argosy.

Naive, bkk is in a mess now so u still going on 24th?

Blur:

Sorry for late reply because on leave for few days.

I booked my ticket to go to KK first, departing HK to KK this Sat. (April 18), I also booked to fly from KK to KL then Bangkok on 23 and then will meet Mr. Suchat on 24. But HK government has warning advising us not to go there. If the warning is still on, then I will not go to Bangkok and fly back to HK from KK. If the warning is off, then I will go. If I could not go this April, I will go July. I will definitely go finding the truth.

Please send email to me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it I think it is good idea to go together if possible.

Blur:

Just heard in the radio broadcast that the red group clear the area. Seems the chance for us to go to see Mr. Suchat is high. From other people's experience in this forum, I think we go to Mr. Suchat's office, he will call the person from the jewelry to meet us in his office and then start the negotiation there.

Just some updates for the visit in Dit on 24th.

Blur and I met in Bangkok and we took the taxi to go to Dit on 24h. At 10:00am we met Mr. Poa. He let us sign a complaint form. Then we waited for about 2 hours. We saw Mr. Suchat for a while. He told us that there would be possibility to get 90% refund.

Afterwards, I met the lady from the shop that I bought the sapphire. She agreed 90% refund and wrote a credit voucher. Mr. Sucht said he would hold the sapphire until i got the refund throught the credit card company. When I get the payment, I should send Mr. Suchat an email, he would then release the sapphire to the shop.

For the part that Blue met the person from the shop she purchased the sapphire. Blur, you may like to brief it yourself? Talk to you.

Btw, I still have a query in mind, that is the lady showed Mr. Suchat a paper in Thai. She said that the Bank stopped payment. The Bank did tell me that they allow me to pay latest April when I return home from Bangkok. It never told me that it stopped payment. I doubt if I really need to clairfy this with the Bank. If it is the case, does it mean that the Bank may have the authority to stop payment for scam like this? I am now still in Thailand and will head back home after 2 days. All the best wishes for who concern this matter.

Naive Traveller, I am delighted for you I am really am although it is 90%, once again 10% remains in LOS. What does concern me is who gets this 10%. You mention the sapphire, you mean the "bit of glass".! I do realise that English is your second language, maybe you could be kind enough to inform us which bank or credit card you hold and how was it possible to cancel the payment, so many desperate people who also have been scammed who appreciate your experiences. Very best wishes

Hi Sammie:

The blue sapphire set I purchased. I did not cancel the credit card as you advised me earlier. I negotiated with the bank for several times. The last fax I send all the comments in this forum to the Bank. Then the customer service says they send this case to the headquarter. Then they waive the interest until i return from Bangkok.

Mine is also the same as naive traveller. I got back 90% of the money which is better than nothing. As for the 10%, the shop claims that it is for the commisson for the tuk tuk and the other people who help in the scam and also the bank charges etc which is non of our business but we got no choice but to pay for it. Guess it's an expensive lesson learn. Sammi,I tried to dispute with citibank and failed. The bank can only advise me to go back to the retailer. If given a choice, I won't go to the bank.they are not helpful.

I am also conned by Yindee Last week and lost the hard earned money of 67K Baht (Rs 100,000).
I am from Bangalore,India.
Can we get the refund without going to Bangkok in person?
Request some help from you people.

Blur, yes I guess better than nothing, an expensive exercise yes. Pity the banks arent more helpful Blur x
@Prakesh, I am sure there are a few here that will help you, but trawl through these forums and there are quite a few blogs apertaining to jewel fraud, I hope you manage to sort it out.

Thanks Sammie for the comments, I also see one more person from Bangalore got conned- Sumeet.

Sumeet, Can you pls contact me on 9448281853 or give your email ID so that I can contact you.

Very best of luck Prakash, hopefully Surneet or Naive Traveller can help you.

Doing things as a team would work in your favour in this situation if it were two or three of you.
If there were more people in the group against the scammers it could turn nasty.

Thanks Sammie & Pighoglet..
Any gemscam victims like me from India, do contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , so that we can work together as team and get the refund..

Prakash, been trying to contact you at the email address and phone number you gave, but am having no luck!

Hi Raymond,
my email ID & phone no's are correct. You may try This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 91-9448281853.
Alternately, pls give your contact, so that I can get in touch with you..

Hi, I was in Bangkok on 22-25 May 09. In fact, I just arrived back today. sadly, all these tricks really giving me very negative feeling abt Thailand. Before leaving to Bangkok, I told my wife Thai ppl are generally better as they are Buddhist...well, I was dead wrong. I was walking with my wife to the Grand Palace when a guy stop me just in front of the guard post..he said the Grand Palace is closed till 1pm for prayers as it was Buddha Day..and we should go to the 3 places as mentioned above and come back at 1pm..
Reaching the jewelrly shop, we were so tempted to buy a Sapphire ring for my wife , but luckily, my wife stopped the purchased and we walked out straight... At the Lucky Buddha, a man there who spoke fluent English even showed me a receipt of buying the gems stones for US$7000...!!! And he said he works in a bank and come here for prayers...

I was in Bangkok last week and brought a ring from the yindee export, please include me in the group of team. My email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I got scam on 3 June and decide to go back to Bangkok but still don't know what to do whether going to police or contact Mr. Suchat.

I have contacted Mr. Suchat and waiting for his reply. Hopefully he can help me to get my money back.

if i cant go back to bangkok wat should i do juz contact mr suchat?? or the lawyer !! wat os my next move pls !! i bought 4000 usd of goods from yindde lapidary!! on 210209

We got scam on 4/7/09 @ Yindee Lapidary Co. Ltd at Makassan. We purchased 2 low graded coloured stone pendant which Yindee claimed as orange sapphire pendant.

The story goes on as narrated; We 1st met a nice gentleman who claimed to be the head of security in front of Pratunam Complex - talked about Lucky Buddha Day - complex opened an hour late - recommended the nearby Lucky Buddha ( We even took the picture of the statue) - then offered to help us get a tuk-tuk with 30baht - to get blessings as temple opened to public once a month - We then met another Thai guy, english speaking at the temple while praying - he talked about himself waiting for his lovely wife - talked about showered wife with gift every year - talked about gemstones - talked about investment return on the gemstones especailly the orange sapphire - asked us to visit the Yindee Lapidary last day of offer on orange sapphire - after listen to all this, we explained to him that we got to regreted we should have bought our husband together and we intended to leave - At last, the man in the temple offered us to visit the prayer hall situated on the left hand side while on our way out for the tuk-tuk. -Without hesitation, we went in to kill our time, we met another Thai guy , well suited and he was performing his worship in the hall, when we were on our way out, he catched up with us and asked why we were late for the prayers session perform by monks including those highly ranking from Chiang Mai - we were then told about his used to be ill mother who is now doing meditation in the temple - he once a gain talked about the buddha heart ( in his explanation buddha heart is orange sapphire), said the buddha left chest was inserted orange sapphire that's why the statue has a bigger chest on left, and then he talked about security and protection , the great power of orange sapphire where many illness are cured- he even showed us name card of a gentleman Mr David Lim , some one who work in Maybank Group KL- and mentioned about Poh Kong, a well known jewel shop in Malaysia who actually came offen to buy jewel from Yindee.- He showed us on map where Yindee was, and etc...until the end of story where we were sent to Yindee Lapidary Co. Ltd by the tuk-tuk driver. Everything was so well planned, and everyone seem so nice, and thinking of the current situation where security and protection is indeed, we purchased a pendant each. Or perhaps the blessing water the monk sprinkled onto us or perhaps the bottled water that Yindee Lapidary Co. Ltd offered to us that work on us ...

Hope those soon to travel, going to travel, planned to travel, remember few tips of our lesson; Thai guys do not apprached (asked)in such a over whelming manners, they used to gave you an answer each time if you ask. They are not many who can speak fluent english liked all three we met on the same day, do not simply took any tuk-tuk. Do not trust approachers.

If anyone who would like to compile a file for action or simply wanted to set up a blog to include our story in, please do so. Since all this syndicate were around for years, why Thai authority, Thai TAT, and etc do not take stern action againts them and in fact, the credit card slips that we both signed was of Bangkok Bank. Aren't the Bank not aware of the syndicate????

Hi i duped in the same way on 30/6/2009. It was really shocking when i heard about from a friend and checked on this site. Is there any singaporeans who are keen to go back for a refund? Please email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Thanks.

Blur so did you manage to get the refund of 90% as i heard the credit vouchers are not reliable too.

I too have been conned badly. I bought jewlery for family in March 2009. I have just flown back to Bangkok and met with a lady from ERAWAN LAPIDARY at a government office called The Centre of Complaints in the Bangkok Internal Trade Building. The government official negotiated a refund. I had to leave the jewlery with him and he promised they would credit my account with in 14 days. That was 20 days ago and still have no refund. I have emailed the department twice no and have had no response. Now I am getting worried as I am back in Australia and can not afford to fly to Bangkok again. I hope to God I have not been conned again...

Post note.... I have been dealing with Mr Suchat Sinrat. It was him who told me I had to fly back into Bangkok to return the jewelery. It's is 20 days now since he kept my jewelery and brokered a deal on a refund. They promised they would credit my account within 14 days. Still nothing as of today. Now I know it's my own fault although I didn't realise that trusting people was a fault.... In any case they now have my original $11,000.00 AND the jewelery. Now I'm getting angry...

Victor, did you manage to make a report? The same thing happened to me last week in Bangkok!! Please contact me if you did! I'm thinking of writing to the Malaysian press!!

@MizRed: Any updates over at you end?

"If it sounds too good to be true, ... it probably is!"

Hi people, I think i'm the latest victim. I discover it a scam about just within 1 hour. But they refuse to reverse the credit card transaction. I went to some help, and manage to negotiate for 90% refund. They give me in credit voucher according to the transaction code. But now, i'm afraid they may not refund me at all. Anyone here knows about credit voucher?

Hi jus got back fm BKK in 7 Nov 09 also con by yindee store. Anyone keen to go back for refund? pls contact me @ This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I myself also just got back from BKK yesterday and didn't know there was such a scam going on. Same thing happened, a man claimed to be working in Pratunam Centre talked abt lucky buddha blah blah blah...shop at Yindee for 30% discount becos of Buddha day...etc...then we met another man at the temple (well dressed) giving us a history of the temple talked abt the same stuff...etc, after reading this then I know I got cheated. Sucks, we spent abt $1300 in total for 2 pendents and a ring. Now I know why there's not many ppl in the shop plus security guards were not in sight throughout the shop, now it dawn on me why the old lady tells us not to let anyone knows that we had shopped at Yindee!!!!

i got conned by yindee on 26th october2009 but got 100% refund on 21 Nov 2009.
As advised my TAT in SG, i got a local gemotologist (Nanyang gemotologist insitute @ 1 Scotts Road,
#04-32, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208 tel: ( 65) 6333 6238) to grade the stone, usually stones from Yindee's coated with a substance not declared in the certificate. We fought for our full refund on that basis.
MY husband flew back to Bangkok 5 days later. But pior to that, we filed a report with TAT, contact person miss Elaine Seah (Tourism Authority of Thailand S'pore Office c/o Royal Thai Embassy 370 Orchard Rd., Singapore 238870 Tel: 65 6235 7901 Fax: 65 6733 5653 Website: www.tourismthailand.org.sg) , she's very helpful & experienced in these gem scams issue.
In turn, she will file our case with TAT & thai tourist police. My husband made an appointment with the thai tourist police around 10.30am (yindee opens around that time) & the police will call the shop on our behalf to negiotate a refund. He went down to the shop alone to get a credit note of 100% refund & flew back SG within that day.
We got back the money in 2 weeks time. But to get back the refund, be prepared to fly back to Bangkok.
All the best , hope this info has been helpful to those being scammed.

Hi all,

Thanks jg for all the information. I've just called the gemotologist in Singapore. My friends and I were conned way back in September 2009 and intended to go back to get the refund on one of the Saturday in Jan 2010. Please contact either of us - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it so that we can go and settle this together if you are interested.

Lokks like I may be the latest victim of this scam. I was on a stopover flying back from Australia on work and just looking for something to do. I had an exact duplicate encounter with the 'Manager' of the shopping Centre, it was a 'religious half-day holiday', 'genuine' tuk tuk driver at hand, visit to lucky Budda temple, 'chance' encounter in the temple, visit to 'morning market' and then off to Yindi for some 'great value' gifts. I bought a ring and and earrings for my girlfriend which I liked and within hours of wearing the ring, one of the 'diamonds' fell out. I am due bak in Oz in a couple of months and will stop over again. Based on what I have read, I will get a valuation done in UK and demand the balance back in cash when i get to the shop. I will let you all know how I got on...

This post-it is linked to my previous one above:
Well, I just took my ring to Ernest Jones the jewellers in Guildford and they checked the gems in my ring and they are all genuine. However, the claws that support the diamonds are too short and not finished off particularly well (they are rough) which suggests the rings are made by a machine and not by human hand. Now I bought the ring and matching earrings for the equivalent of £550 (because I liked them) and I felt that was reasonably good value for money. Ernest Jones said the ring alone, once the diamond has been replaced would be valued at £7-800. So, I am having all the claws re-tipped and smoothed, the lost diamond replaced at a modest price but I am still better off. Bottom line is the gems are real, the craftsmanship is very poor, the price is cheap. You the individual must decide on whether it is Value For Money.

Hi all,
It was late for me to read about these comments from you guys. I should have checked in the net before purchase the jewels. It's the same story of a man approch me at Central World and mentioned that he is a lawyer...then talk about lucky buddha.....the tuk-tuk guy and then a very decently dress person at temple....then to Yindee....then to tailor...etc..

When I reached hotel, I checked to find out that I'm one of the you....got scammed...immediately I lodged report to my hotel and with the help of the person from the hotel, I got refund for 90%, another 10% they took for VAT and credit card service. I think this is not bad, I'm glad I did not loose 100% otherwise this could have been a heavy bill to me. Thanks to Mr.Wichai from Centara Grand tourist info for his great help. This reminds me of a great say "Nothing if free in this world". Anyway thanks for the person who started this page.

@Timmo, I have a question, if you knew then what you know now, would you have still bought the earrings and ring, was the time spent and the additional expense worth it? By the way, thanks for the stories.

Yesterday, I was on the corner on Wireless Rd and Ploenchit in Bangkok.
Two, well dressed men were on the corner, looking for tourists to scam.
We met them and they tried to tell us everything was closed, then tried to get us into a tuk tuk for a scam. Good thing we had read up and suspected this was a scam.
We crossed the street and watched them for a while, then one of them walked over to the Police Box and went inside!
Are these cops scamming tourists?

my scenario was similar to what GP wrote on 20Dec09. I managed to get 90% refund with help from the hotel staffs because I went back to Yindee 1 DAY after I bought the jewel sets. I got back the ORIGINAL bank copy of credit card transaction slip (Without the bank copy slip they cant claim the money) and sign a new credit card transaction for 10% of the purchased value for VAT, tuk tuk commission, bla bla bla. These were the reason that they cant give me a full refund but I knew that were nonsense excuse. However I agreed with them because I just didnt want to argue with them and caused any further trouble. BTW i also sign an agreement that I am happy for the end result and I will not take any legal action or complaints against them.

You know...the con job actually started the moment I walked out from my hotel early in the morning. The whole setup was really farking clever!

Btw just forget about their police because I wasted a few hours at police station with nothings came out. The hotel staffs were must helpful compare to them.

Hi Guys,

I was scammed on 21st december and realized it the same night while chatting to a friend. Did everything I could to stop the parcel (as it was posted with ems) but no luck. Had a word with mr.suchat and was advised to return to sydney and get the gems and receipts and to make a complaint at his office. I am planning to fly sometime next week and i have the gems in the parcel. I am still not sure if I should open the parcel or no. Im worried if I open it they may say no its not ours or probably the guy who issued the receipt changed their descriptoion on paper so that when i claim they 'll say the gems dont match description...on the other hand if I keep it closed, they gonna ask how u know they are not genuine or not worth the price as u didnt open the seal hence they were not valued elsewhere...what do u think guys?

171 (mind you, some are answers to questions) complaints against the company in question since September 2008, don't open it.

hi , i am from Malaysia . Got scam for thb 60,760 from YINDEE LAPIDARY.CO . will going back to Bangkok
for fefund. Are there any fellow Malaysian who got scam that want to go back for refund ? Email me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wish to get a refund back from Yindee as I bought a blue sapphire ring that I suppose is scram.



It was on 29 Jan 2010, my boyfriend and I wanted to shop at Plantinum Mall around 10am, when I was approached by a Thai Local guy who claim he is a teacher. He appears friendly and helpful and suggested that we go pray at a local temple which is about 5 minutes away by tuk tuk if we really wanted to pray and ask for blessing. He told us that this temple is very special and only open once a month, and of course he said that day is our lucky day because the temple is open. He told us that the lucky buddha inside the temple is made of gold and that is why it is only open once a month during "Buddhist Day". Being helpful, he help us get a tuk tuk for 30 Bath. The tuk tuk is suppose to send us to the temple and then send us back to Plantinum Mall.

And off we go to the temple. And on the 2nd floor in the temple, we met a Thai who claimed to be on holiday there. He said he is a PR in Singapore and is waiting for his wife and daughter. He told us that he just bought a full set of jewelry from Yindee for just THB63,900 for his wife. He told us that it is a good deal because the market price for the jewelry is double the Price. He said Poh Hing (Singapore) and Lee Haw (Singapore) also buy from Yindee. He said Yindee is celebrating its 30th anniversary, that is why it is selling cheap. He also told us a lot of convincing stories i.e. a pair of Singaporean also buy from yindee when he is buying his jewelry.

My boyfriend and I also think that it is a good bargain. So we hop into our tuk tuk, which is still waiting outside the temple. We head to this Yindee, and this sales Manager by the name of Mr Arno serve us. Saying that we do not need to pay any taxes and the Thai government has subsidies the tax rebate and using credit card payment, there won’t be any 3% charge. He also claim that they will submit the transaction slip 15 days after the day of purchase.



However, when I’m back to Singapore, the transaction have went thru and to my surprise now, after doing some google, a lot of people actually fall for this Yindee scam!

I am wondering if anyone had tried to check the value of the jewllery?

Just went to the gemologist... My blue sapphire cost less then sgd50 which I
paid for it in yindee for THB16,900! Got it certified that gem was man-made.. Will lodge a complain to tourism police tomorrow with my receipt n cert... I got a photo of one of the scammer...

Dear all victims, I am another victim for this bangkok gem scam, i bought some stones from Yindee Lapidary also on 23 Feb 2010 and found out I am cheated on the next day when I came back to my country, Malaysia. I had contacted Mr Suchat from Department of Internal Trade and he requested me to fly over in Bangkok and the process of refund can be done within one day. We need to see Mr Suchat and he will accompany us to the shop and negotiate for the refund.

I am here sincerely request that anyone from any country that was cheated by this Yindee Lapidary join us to see Mr Suchat and get back our refund, group power is stronger than individual. Kindly contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dear all victims, I am another victim for this bangkok gem scam, i bought some stones from Yindee Lapidary also on 5 Mar 2010 and found out I am cheated when I came back to my country, Singapore.

Anybody got idea to claim back the money
Kindly contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

This website is helpful since my fiancee and I are planning to stop over Thailand for a quick tour. I feel sad for those who were scammed.

Tourists should make it a point to research about topics like this before venturing. These stories are things that you won't see written on your tourist book. I wish that those who were scammed get their money back and that these con jobs be put out of business.

Wow.... I cant believe this.

Now hear my story!!!!

Me and my boyfriend were on holiday in Bangkok. And while we were taking some pictures in front of centre world, a man claiming he is a half Malaysian- half Thai, approached us and talked to us in a very nice manner. He first introduced us to the "love buddha and wealth buddha" that were in front of centre world. We were very very interested at his story! Then he looked at his watch, which obviously is "expensive and decent looking" and said.."Ah!! both of u is very lucky!! today is lucky buddha day! do you have a paper?" and I took out a piece of paper off my bag and gave it to him. He drew out the map to the place and offered to stop a tuktuk for us with only 30baht. He WAS very nice cause he even told us about the scam of tuk-tuk and asked us to get a tuk-tuk with blue colour shirt cause they are under government and is cheaper. And my boyfriend is a strong buddhist believer, we decided to follow the tuk-tuk that he stopped. And before we left, he mentioned.." you are very lucky" we smile and we went off with the tuk-tuk man. And my boyfriend even asked for his name-card and he looked into his wallet and said.. "i left it in my office.."

In the tuk-tuk the man introduced himself and asked if this is our first time in bangkok. Obviously, we didnt know that this is a scam and we said.. yes!! blablabla... he brought us to the lucky buddha temple. When we arrived there, he parked inside the temple instead of outside the temple. So we offered him 30 baht immediately (of course our mood were extremely happy cause we thought we were THAT LUCKY!) and he said... "no... I will wait for you here.." and there goes my doubt.

Because my boyfriend always said I am very sensitive and very negative towards people, therefore I decided to keep quiet and not mentioned to him first (especially when i got conned in hong kong before when I was touring alone and was really young!). So we went to the top level of the temple... While were were praying a decent guy 2 approached us and talked to us for about 30 minutes. He first talked about how famous is the lucky buddha and how the buddha is made off gold. Then he mentioned about how thai has the world biggest export in jewelry. He then asked me to take out a paper and wrote the name of the shop that has 30 percent discount because its their 30th anniversary. And he also said.. the man that told us about this lucky buddha place is very kind....LOL!

And so we went back down and the tuk-tuk guy told us that he is going to toilet. So while waiting for him, another man claiming that he worked for singapore government always come to lucky buddha with his mum and wife to pray every month that's why he is very healthy and wealthy. He also told us about how her mum was very ill till oneday someone sold him a 50000 baht buddha heart and instantly cured the sickness. He wore a batik shirt and carrying a bag (which supposed to looked like a business bag but because I am a shopaholic, the bag look like a clutch to me!!So there goes my doubt two). And he kept talking about the sapphire.. and instantly I remember about my hong kong scam when I was 15. MY boyfriend as mentioned is a very strong buddhist believer and he was into his story!! and the conn-man 3 knew that I know something was fishy because I kept looking at his outfit, his bag, whether the conn-man 2 around, etc etc etc.. So he brought out 2 very old and not creative name card... claiming that he knows the head inspector of singapore police force and also a maybank card claiming that he knows the manager of maybank. AND THANK GOD I instantly knew that he is a scammer. I am a graphic artist my self and Ive seen maybank card before AND THEY DONT LOOK ALIKE!! HAHAHA blablabla the whole time he was telling us about the orange sapphire, the miracle that a plane crash and only the pilot and a white lady survived because they have the orange saphire, blablaba and also about the yindee store place.

So after finish crapping about his story, he made a signal and all of sudden the tuk-tuk man came out from nowhere. He asked the tuk-tuk driver to bring us to the store. And on the way there, I told my boyfriend that I think it is a scam. And because he also thinks its fishy and we called up our friend who is a big tycoon there and told him about the orange sapphire which he nvr heard off.... we told the tuk-tuk driver to bring us back to centre world. but he insist of bringing us to Yindee. Fine....

MY boyfriend and I went into a very run down shop that sells stones. When we went in, we were approached by this lady that speaks English.. She knew that we came in for orange sapphire when we did not mentioned anything about it. So I knew that this is 100% a scam but my boyfriend is still very convinced at the miracle of orange sapphire. Lol...

Long story short, she kept persuading us to buy the orange sapphire with all the poh kong and habib story And I said to her, "Im waiting for my mum to arive Bangkok tomorrow and Ill bring her to this store tmr cause she loves jewelry." And she said..."today is the last day of sales.." and I told her.."my mum doesnt mind.. in fact she prefers those without sales." and then she, sounded angry said.."we are not selling for tourist tmr.. only today!!" then I smiled at her and told her I did not have any money with me! Then she told me that I can use my credit card and I told her I do not have a credit card. AND SHE SAID SHE WILL ASK HER STAFF TO FOLLOW ME BACK TO THE HOTEL TO GET MY MONEY!!! I said no thanks and wanted to leave the place... then she looked at my Louis Vuitton bag and said..."YOU BRING A LOUIS VUITTON BAG BUT HAVE NO MONEY IN IT??" I told her its fake and I walked away.

So we left the place and THANK GOD WE REACHED CENTRE WORLD SAFELY!!! we could have been kidnap or robbed!!!!!!!!! we wanted to look for the man 1 but he wasnt there anymore...

The funny thing is.... my boyfriend still thinks I was mean to the people at that time. So he went back and looked online and YES ITS A SCAM!!!! we were bloody lucky then!!! :D

Go Jovie, you smart cookie you, I'm so pleased you did not purchase anything.

Dear all,
So sad that i have not read this before visited to the Bangkok. On 14Aug10, the same incudent happened to me. Brought a orange Sappire for THB 15,000 from THE EXOTIC CENTER, Saphira shop. So sad to find out it's scam.