Thai tailor scam
Encyclopedia
Thai Tailor Scam is one of the most common confidence trick
performed in many tourist hotspots in Thailand, like Pattaya
, Bangkok
, Phuket
, and even idyllic quaint beach towns like Khao Lak
. Other scams commonly involve sex, drugs, tourist sites, Thai gem scam
, or transport like taxi, bus, motorcycle or tuk-tuk.
The scam usually involves a friendly person approaching their chosen victim, offering tailor made clothes for cheaper than in department stores. The seller will claim to have an international export company that just opened. After paying up front, the buyer will receive an item made of polyester
rather than the promised cashmere
or other high quality thread, and which often doesn't fit properly. Scammers may not even be Thai, in one case, a Singaporean had been working with Thais to trick Singaporean tourists, the victims are sweet-talked into buying tailor-made clothes, which turn out to be poorly made.
The scam is listed on the New Zealand Embassy website.
Confidence trick
A confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group by gaining their confidence. A confidence artist is an individual working alone or in concert with others who exploits characteristics of the human psyche such as dishonesty and honesty, vanity, compassion, credulity, irresponsibility,...
performed in many tourist hotspots in Thailand, like Pattaya
Pattaya
Pattaya is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi....
, Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Phuket
Phuket City
Phuket is a city located in the southeast of Phuket Island, Thailand. It is the capital of the Phuket Province, covering all of the island. As of 2007 the city has a population of 75,573 people...
, and even idyllic quaint beach towns like Khao Lak
Khao Lak
Khao Lak ) is a seaside resort located in the Takua Pa district in the Phang Nga province, Thailand and popular as a departure point for liveaboard scuba diving trips to the Similan Islands....
. Other scams commonly involve sex, drugs, tourist sites, Thai gem scam
Thai Gem Scam
The Thai Gem Scam is a confidence trick performed in Bangkok, Thailand as well as other cities in the country. It is one of the most pervasive scams in Thailand. Most of the shops are gold or jewelry shops. It has been alleged that this scam has been operating for the past 20 years, sometimes...
, or transport like taxi, bus, motorcycle or tuk-tuk.
The scam usually involves a friendly person approaching their chosen victim, offering tailor made clothes for cheaper than in department stores. The seller will claim to have an international export company that just opened. After paying up front, the buyer will receive an item made of polyester
Polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...
rather than the promised cashmere
Cashmere wool
Cashmere wool, usually simply known as cashmere, is a fiber obtained from Cashmere and other types of goats. The word cashmere derives from an old spelling of Kashmir. Cashmere is fine in texture, and strong, light, and soft. Garments made from it provide excellent...
or other high quality thread, and which often doesn't fit properly. Scammers may not even be Thai, in one case, a Singaporean had been working with Thais to trick Singaporean tourists, the victims are sweet-talked into buying tailor-made clothes, which turn out to be poorly made.
The scam is listed on the New Zealand Embassy website.