Thai Police Bust AI-Powered Romance Scam Ring Operated by Nigerians

Thai authorities raided a luxury riverside condominium in Nonthaburi on May 22, arresting six Nigerian nationals allegedly running an AI-driven romance scam targeting older women. The suspects, aged 23-35, used fabricated profiles of pilots, military personnel, and professionals to deceive victims.

Dubbed 'Dark Room Crackdown,' the operation saw suspects attempting to destroy evidence—one fleeing via balcony, another caught messaging from a bathroom. Police seized three condominiums near Phra Nang Klao Bridge, noting the group held student visas without attending classes.

The case underscores escalating global concerns over AI-facilitated fraud, particularly in crypto-heavy regions where anonymity tools abound. No direct crypto links were identified, but the sophistication mirrors tactics seen in pig-butchering schemes often laundered through privacy coins like XMR or mixed via platforms such as Tornado Cash.