May 23, 2026
Thai police have arrested six Nigerian nationals accused of operating an AI-powered romance scam syndicate from a luxury condominium in Nonthaburi, following an investigation that began with a cocaine trafficking case.
The suspects were arrested during coordinated raids on May 22 at three condominium units along the Chao Phraya River near Phra Nangklao Bridge. Authorities said the men, who were living in groups of five or six per apartment, were using fake identities, AI-generated faces and staged video calls to deceive victims, mostly older Thai women.
According to police, the investigation began in April after officers arrested a Nigerian man identified as Patrick and three others on cocaine trafficking charges. During the operation, police seized assets worth about 2.5 million baht.
According to the trending video on X, shared by a Cambodian based crime researcher with the handle @jacobincambodia, investigators later traced financial transactions linked to the drug case to several foreign nationals staying in the upscale condominium complex on student visas. Police said none of the suspects were enrolled in school or employed.
