Indian tourist loses holiday spending money to 'herbal weight-loss scam'
An Indian tourist lost his holiday spending money after falling victim to a herbal weight-loss scam in Thailand.
Weight-conscious Mohammad Safeer, 30, and his wife were strolling along the beach when they were approached by a stranger selling affordable 'miracle' weight loss herbs in coastal city Pattaya, on June 3.
But after being led into the Thai Organic World shop, Safeer discovered that the real bill was more than 12,160 baht, wiping out the holiday cash he had set aside for the tropical getaway with his wife.
He claimed he tried to refuse but was pressured and 'threatened' into buying the products by the alleged scammers.
He said: ‘I tried to refuse, but the shop wouldn't allow it. They told me to pay first, claiming they would refund the money later if I wasn't satisfied.'
The holidaymaker decided to file a police report, believing the promised refunds would never materialise.
Police said they recorded Safeer's complaint and dispatched officers to investigate.
Officials said the shop, which has been closed since the incident, has been linked to similar complaints involving Indian and European tourists in recent years.
The suspects allegedly worked by gaining tourists' trust, escorting them into shops, then demanding large sums for products while making exaggerated claims about their benefits.
In many previous cases, disputes reportedly ended with partial refunds negotiated between the parties rather than criminal prosecutions, allowing the businesses to continue operating.
Many tourists reportedly accepted partial refunds because they did not want to spend time pursuing legal action.
On March 19, British tourist Malcolm Campbell, 63, from Staffordshire, was allegedly conned into paying 41,000 baht for herbal weight-loss products after being approached by two Arabic men in Pattaya.
Police later tracked down the suspects and arranged a full refund after Campbell's Thai girlfriend recognised the scheme and reported it to Pattaya City Police Station.
