25-7-2023 (BANGKOK) In a surprising turn of events, a prestigious luxury hotel nestled amidst the enchanting landscapes of Khao Yai National Park fell victim to a clever hotel scam, leaving more than 40 unsuspecting guests in its wake. Crafty fraudsters devised a plan by creating a fake social media account for the esteemed MYS Khao Yai Hotel, deceiving innocent travelers and leading them to book with the impostor instead of the authentic establishment.
Chantana Mander, one of the victims, bravely shared her distressing encounter with Channel 3, recounting how she made a reservation for the MYS Khao Yai Hotel through Facebook. Trusting the deceptive page, she proceeded to transfer 14,100 baht as payment to an individual named Baiela. However, upon her arrival at the hotel, her name was inexplicably missing from the booking list, leaving her frustrated and bewildered.
To prove her payment, Chantana displayed her money transfer receipt to the hotel staff, only to discover that the bank account in question had no affiliation with the hotel whatsoever. It was then evident that she had fallen victim to a cunning scam. Accompanied by the hotel staff, she headed to the Moo Sri Police Station to file a complaint. Much to her dismay, another couple, also deceived by the same scam, arrived at the police station to do the same.
This unfortunate couple, hailing from Nakhon Sawan province in northern Thailand, had set out for a relaxing vacation in Nakhon Ratchasima. As they decided to extend their stay, they searched for accommodations online and unwittingly stumbled upon the fake Facebook page of MYS Khao Yai. To their detriment, the counterfeit page had managed to outrank the genuine one in search results. The scammers invested in Facebook advertisements and post boosts, amassing numerous followers and reactions to create a false aura of credibility. Like Chantana, the couple transferred their payment, but this time to a different individual named Anake.
As authorities delved into the intricate web of the scam, they unearthed the true identities of the bank account owners. One belonged to the Saba Yoi district in the southern province of Songkhla, while the other resided in the Chon Daen district in the western province of Phetchabun. The investigation is ongoing to ascertain whether these individuals played pivotal roles in the scam or were mere pawns who sold their bank accounts to the perpetrators.
The police have issued a stern warning to both locals and travelers, urging them to exercise caution when booking accommodations. It was revealed that MYS Khao Yai was not the only establishment victimized by this scam; other hotels had also fallen prey to this deceitful scheme. Responding to the alarming situation, the official Facebook page of MYS Khao Yai issued an announcement, alerting their guests to the ongoing scam and advising vigilance in their bookings.
As investigations continue, the victims remain hopeful for justice and a crackdown on such fraudulent activities, ensuring that future travelers can enjoy their vacations without the looming threat of crafty scams.
