Indian man detained in Thailand over fraud

Bangkok: An Indian national has been detained in Thailand for allegedly being part of a gang which conned Nepalese jobseekers promising them jobs in the US or Canada, police said on Saturday.

Negi Surjeet, 42, wanted on a court warrant issued by Sa Kaeo provincial court on theft charges, was caught shortly after arriving at the international arrival terminal on Friday, they said.

The arrest followed complaints by three Nepalese nationals who claimed they had been deceived by an Indian man via Facebook who promised them jobs in the US or Canada.

The three reportedly met another Indian man identified as Avatar who asked them to open bank accounts with ATM cards and deposit six lakh rupees each. He later allegedly took their ATM cards and passbook on the pretext of opening mobile banking services and withdrew the money, police said.

The victims could not trace Avatar following which they filed a police complaint. Police found that Avatar and his gang members had preyed on foreign jobseekers using similar methods.

Warrants were issued for the arrest of Avatar and his accomplices, including Surjeet. Negi denied having any part in the theft but admitted he knew Avatar.

However, police said they had evidence to implicate him in the case and sent him to Khlong Luek police station for further legal action. Officers were hunting down other gang members.

PTI