Thai Police arrest six Nigerians over alleged AI-powered romance scam (Video)

The Thailand Police Force has arrested six Nigerian nationals accused of operating a sophisticated AI-powered romance scam syndicate from a luxury condominium located along the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi Province.

Authorities said the suspects were apprehended during a police operation that initially stemmed from an investigation into cocaine trafficking before uncovering an alleged large-scale online fraud network targeting vulnerable victims.

The arrests have drawn attention to the growing use of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology in international cybercrime operations, particularly in romance and investment scams.

Details of the operation were shared by a Cambodia-based crime researcher identified on X as @jacobincambodia, who provided an account of the police raid and subsequent discoveries made by investigators.

According to the researcher, Thai police officers stormed the luxury riverside condominium on May 22 after tracing suspicious financial transactions linked to a previously arrested drug trafficking suspect.

He explained that the investigation began in April when authorities arrested a Nigerian man identified as Patrick alongside three associates on cocaine trafficking allegations.

Police reportedly seized assets worth about 2.5 million baht during the anti-drug operation.

Investigators later followed the financial trail, which reportedly led them to several foreign nationals living in expensive condominium units near the Phra Nangklao Bridge area of Nonthaburi Province.

Authorities discovered that the suspects were allegedly staying in groups of five or six people per apartment despite holding student visas and reportedly not being enrolled in any educational institution or engaged in legitimate employment.

Police subsequently secured three search warrants and moved in on three separate condominium units believed to be linked to the syndicate.

According to reports, officers were forced to break into the apartments after the occupants allegedly refused to open the doors.

One suspect reportedly attempted to escape by climbing over a balcony, while another was said to have hidden on the bathroom floor while sending warning messages to occupants in neighbouring units.

READ ALSO:  NDLEA nabs Thailand returnee with illicit drugs valued at N3.1b

During the operation, authorities seized 18 mobile phones, three laptop computers and three bank passbooks allegedly connected to the fraud activities.

Investigators claimed some of the devices were still open to active romance scam conversations at the time of the raid.

A video circulated online and cited by Nationaldailyng.com reportedly showed Thai police officers forcing entry into one of the apartments before arresting the suspects.

Police investigations revealed that the syndicate allegedly used artificial intelligence technology and deepfake tools to create fake identities and deceive victims online.

Authorities said the suspects posed as pilots, doctors, engineers and United States military officers while targeting older Thai women through online relationships.

Investigators reportedly recovered AI-generated images of Western-looking faces used to facilitate fake video calls and strengthen the credibility of the fraudulent personas.

According to investigators, the suspects would build trust with victims over time before claiming that valuable packages or gifts had been detained by customs authorities and required urgent payment for release.

Authorities believe several victims may have been persuaded to empty their bank accounts after being emotionally manipulated through prolonged online interactions.

Experts warn that scammers now use AI-generated faces, fake video interactions and scripted emotional conversations to create convincing digital identities capable of deceiving victims more effectively than traditional online scams.

Security analysts have urged social media users and online dating participants to remain cautious when interacting with strangers online, particularly individuals requesting money transfers or financial assistance after forming virtual relationships.