Sri Lankan “Job-for-C​ash” fraud uncovered in Thailand

A Sri Lankan National was arrested by Pattaya Police in the early hours of Tuesday, accused of extorting money from three of his fellow countrymen in exchange for a promise of employment.

Just after 2.30am Khun Sontaya aged 42 escorted three Sri Lankans to Pattaya Police Station. They were seen earlier begging for food and money on the streets. She determined that they had been brought to Thailand on the promise of work as Security Guards. Each man paid a fellow Sri Lankan, Mr. Sunil Udayakumara Aththalage Don aged 38 the equivalent of 174,000 Baht each to come to Thailand where they were promised work as Security Guards with a monthly salary of 10,000 Baht. The men were taken to an apartment in Soi 10 off the Central Pattaya Road where they were told to wait until their documentation to work was completed. Mr. Sunil would return from time to time and ask for more money from the men to complete additional documentation which left the three men with no money to eat or drink forcing them onto the streets where they would ask for help from local residents. Khun Sontaya realized the men had been scammed and contacted the Police who arranged an undercover operation which led to the arrest of Mr. Sunil at the apartment complex.