What to Do If You've Been Scammed in Thailand
What to Do If You've Been Scammed in Thailand
Scams targeting foreigners in Thailand are more common than most people realise — and they take many forms: property and off-plan deals that never materialise, "guaranteed" investments, fake agents, business partners who vanish with the money, and online or romance scams. If it's happened to you, the first feeling is often helplessness. But Thai law gives you real routes to fight back.
Two Ways to Pursue a Scammer
There are usually two tracks, and sometimes you can use both:
Criminal — Fraud is a criminal offence in Thailand. You can file a complaint with the police, who can investigate and prosecute. A criminal case also often creates real pressure on the scammer to repay.
Civil — You can sue to recover the money or claim damages, obtain a judgment, and then enforce it against the wrongdoer's assets.
Which route — or combination — makes sense depends on the facts, how much is at stake, and where the money and the scammer are now.
Why Acting Fast Matters
Scammers move money and disappear. The sooner you act, the better your chances: assets can be traced, evidence is fresh, and you stay within the time limits that apply to legal claims. Delay is almost always the scammer's friend.
Preserve Your Evidence
Keep everything — contracts, transfer slips and bank records, chat and email messages, receipts, advertisements, and the other party's details. A clear paper trail is often the difference between a strong case and a weak one.
If the Money or the Scammer Is Abroad
Cross-border scams are harder, but not always hopeless. Whether recovery is realistic depends on where the assets are and what can be traced — exactly the kind of assessment worth getting early.
What to Do Now
Don't tip the other side off in a way that lets them move assets, and don't sign anything they put in front of you to "settle" before you understand it. Get advice quickly, so you can choose the right route while recovery is still possible.
If you've been scammed, we can assess whether a criminal complaint, a civil claim, or both gives you the best chance of recovery.
