A scam victim’s true story

Posted by admin on July 25th, 2008 filed in Uncategorized

Singaporean seeking justice after encountered of Thai Gem Scam in Bangkok
After browsing several web sites, I could not help crying over the scam happened in
Bangkok on 21 August.

The incident was exactly the same as what most of the people described. Met with a
friendly thai, told to go temple, met another friendly thai, asked you to go to
another place. Then found to lure into a scam after payment has been made……

My wonderful vacation has been ruined by this scam!!!

On 21 July at around 10.30, I was outside Pratunam Center. A local Thai man in his
fifties approached me and started with simple conversation. He claimed to be a
watchman for Pratunam Center , and just got back from Singapore after purchased of
laptops at Sim Lim Square for his boss who owns Pratunam Center . He asked me to
visit a Temple called “ Lucky Temple ” which opens once a month. He claimed that I
was so lucky as the temple opened that day for month of July. He even recommended
shopping at Thai Export Center which I though it was a whole sale center for branded
fashions. He called over a tuk-tuk driver and bargained the price of 50 Batt.

At Lucky temple, I met a local Thai man and engaged into conversation. He said he had worked for Singapore Technology for the past 3 years. He came back to Bangkok in time for the prayers at Lucky temple and annual sales at Thai export. He claimed he was a monk in this temple for 12 years. He went further to say that it was a good
investment to buy gemstones in Thailand and they would bring luck, etc.

Each person was allowed to purchase maximum 5 items. NO 200% govt and vat tax and an additional 30% off for promotion which valid 7 days a year. That same day, 21 July was the last day of promotion. He claimed Poh Heng, Lee Hwa and Soo Kee Jewelry Shope were their loyal customers. Needless to say, his story made it sound
believable. I decided to visit the shop merely for curiosity and to kill time. My
flight back to Singapore was leaving in the afternoon.

We went to a jewelry store near the Bangkok Palace Hotel. There I was persuaded to purchase a set of Blue Sapphire, Red Ruby pendant and a multi colourful ring at about SGD10,000

On my way to Airport, I felt uneasy and started to think of the whole event leading
to the purchase of the gems. It was already too late! I have obviously fallen in
prey of the scam group. The flashes of temple having to open only once a month is
not possible, wholes sales center without any single soul in the shop, no interest
in gem, never once purchase one, never like gem and custom jewelry, etc.

When I returned to Singapore on the same day, I brought the jewelry to my friend who works in a reputable jewelry shop in Singapore to evaluate on the value of my
purchase. He told me those items were worth less than SGD2,000.

Immediately, I called UOB credit card company on that night to stop the payment. The operator told me that the bank cannot stop the payment and that I have to negotiate with the receiver, Yindee Lapidary Co., Ltd instead. No further assistance was given from UOB bank!

I went to Taka Jewelry Shop the next day and found out they have similar range of
gems and the prices were so much cheaper. I decided to visit a Gemology Consultant
to valuate on those items. It was valuated at SGD5.500 (retail price without
discount) I felt absolutely foolish for what had happened.

I called the UOB credit card company again. This time I insisted on my scam and the
operator asked me to file for dispute charge. I thought we were protected with
MasterCard and Credit Card Company. How can MasterCard and Credit Card Company allow these “black listed” stores to use its facilities in the first place? I hope the bank is investigating my case now.

After so many years and countless reports of similar scam incidents, these jewelry
shops in Thailand still manage to use touts at tourist attractions to lure shoppers
to their stores with false claims of huge discounts and promises that money can be
made by reselling the gems back home. The gems purchased are genuine, but
overpriced, many times higher then their actual value. This really spoilt the image
of Thailand and the name of God, Budda

I would like to inform you about the crooked sales tactics of this shop, …………Co., Ltd and ask for your help in getting my money back (preferably 100%). I never like jewelry. I am wearing a pair of earring at the cost of SGD2. I am very disappointed that such incident happened to me.
This whole event has unfortunately ruined my wonderful holiday in Thailand.

I have made countless phone calls to Ms …… of ……..Co., Ltd. She
asked for the valuation to be sent and promise to revert back to me. Till today, I
was unable to contact her. I was careful about confronting this shop. It seems to be
one of the key protected players in this decades-old scam and since such shops are
maintained by the local mafia.

I hope to get full refund if possible. I would rather donate the money to temple. I
am really stupid as to fall into this trap! Thanks for your kind attention to my
email.

I really hope the tourist police, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand Embassy
in Singapore can assist

How to avoid getting ripped off in Bangkok

*Note: We received this email from Mister Bernice Leau from Singapore and with his permission we published this story. Due to possible legal actions against 1stopbangkok.com, we have decided not to publish the jewellery shop’s name.