Answered9 years ago
What should I do if I was scammed while trying to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand?
Hi there. I am a British national. From Langton Matravers, near Swanage in Dorset. I worked with the RAF & RNZAF in New Zealand where I retired. I have been coming to Thailand for the past 15 years and decided to live in Bangkok now. I will be 90 years in February and age is catching up on me very fast. My wife is from the Fiji Islands. We've been so attached to a little Thai girl (profile photo) since she was 2 years. She's now 9 last September. I have a big problem with the hope that I would get some good advice from you all. My wife was conned by an Indian man in Pratunam who was introduced to her in August. He has an office at the Palladium. He said he makes Retirement visa, so my wife was led to believe him. He offered my wife 29500 THB to arrange for my Retirement Visa and multiple entry. He promised to get everything done in 3 days without a problem. My wife paid the full amount on the 17th August, 22 days before my 90day visa expired. Three days turned into 5 days, 1 week, 1 month and last week, my wife went to report on the matter to the Phayathai Police Station with Thai/ English speaking friends. The man was instructed to return the 29500 THB and pay 20000 for the Over staying fine of 3 months. Before leaving the station, a police officer offered to help get me a 1 month visa for 3800 THB, 5000 THB so I don't get blacklisted and 19500 for a returning/multiple entry. All together 28300 THB. I was to receive my passport/visa without a problem in 3 days. It's now almost two weeks and I am due to leave for NZ on the 8th (next Friday). Now he says that he cannot get me a visa and will return my money and passport this Monday. I am now in a messed up state. I am devastated that I will have to part with my precious little Pontip. I am worried that I will not be able to return to Thailand as I now will be Black Listed. I would like to hear from you all if anyone has gone through the trouble of over staying but has a way of returning to Thailand? Do I go to the British Embassy for help?
Is there any solution? I would very much appreciate your responses. Thank you.
Is there any solution? I would very much appreciate your responses. Thank you.
Answer summary
A British expat, nearing 90 years old, shared his experience of being scammed by a supposed visa agent in Bangkok who offered to process his retirement visa for a fee but failed to deliver. After reporting the incident to the police and facing the potential of being blacklisted for overstaying, he sought advice from the community on how to resolve the situation, avoid future issues, and if he should contact the British Embassy for assistance. Supportive comments offered various solutions, including leaving Thailand before exceeding the 90-day overstay limit and pursuing a legitimate visa application process.
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Ronald *************
OPThanks Tod. All noted. Definitely going to apply for it myself. Cheers
Tod *********
I am so glad to hear that worked out like it did. :)
I take it when you came back in you were stamped in for 30 days right?
Now you have to get your ducks in a row and start the process again to get first a 90 day Non-O visa and then a yearly extension of stay based on being over 50 (retirement).
You can extend your 30 day stamp by another 30 days as well for 1900baht at the immigration office if you need more time to sort out the stuff for the retirement extension
Good Luck (y)
I take it when you came back in you were stamped in for 30 days right?
Now you have to get your ducks in a row and start the process again to get first a 90 day Non-O visa and then a yearly extension of stay based on being over 50 (retirement).
You can extend your 30 day stamp by another 30 days as well for 1900baht at the immigration office if you need more time to sort out the stuff for the retirement extension
Good Luck (y)
Ronald *************
OPI would like to say a BIG THANK YOU TO ALL great people who responded to my posts and despair.
I followed the advice from Ivan McAvinchey and Tod Daniels.
This is an update:
I checked in on my flight to Auckland, NZ via Hong Kong. Got to Immigration and handed my passport together with the Police report. I was escorted to the Immigration counter inside. A few people were also there to pay their fines. The officer looked at the date stamped on my visa, looked through the calendar...88 days.... He politely demanded payment of
I followed the advice from Ivan McAvinchey and Tod Daniels.
This is an update:
I checked in on my flight to Auckland, NZ via Hong Kong. Got to Immigration and handed my passport together with the Police report. I was escorted to the Immigration counter inside. A few people were also there to pay their fines. The officer looked at the date stamped on my visa, looked through the calendar...88 days.... He politely demanded payment of
*****
baht (which I had set aside). Signatures, receipts and within minutes I was given the green light. I asked if I was able to return, the officer, who spoke good English, much to my surprise said, 'Not a problem, you can come back tomorrow'. He probably thought I was just going to Hong Kong and back. So, at 90 years, I guess I still have so much to learn. I am so fortunate to have real good support and advice on this forum. May you all have an enjoyable week and all my blessings. Cheers.Ronald *************
OPNo unusual stamp
Ronald *************
OPThank you. Yes all went well.
Kev *********
All's well then at the end of the day. Any unusual stamps in your passport ?
Terry **********
wow not your run of the mill posts asking for advice and seeing that it was truthfully given by
@Tod ********
@Robert ******
and others to the bes the of there knowledge i hope that this gentleman succeeds whatever the outcome Good Luck to youRonald *************
OPReally appreciate it, Terry. Had received real great advices.
Kev *********
Best of luck to you 🙏
Ronald *************
OPThank you much.
Ronald *************
OPSuper! Roger to all! Advice all well noted! I am all packed, prepared to leave as soon as I get passport on Monday. I will keep you all updated. Thank you all too kindly. Have a Blessed and wonderful weekend.
Tod *********
@Ron***
, good luck, :) get your passport back ASAP, follow @Iv**
,s advice, exit the country BEFORE you hit 90 days overstay, paying the 20K baht in overstay fines when you stamp out. Then either go to a thai consulate and get a visa or come back in on a 30 day visa exempt stamp and then start the correct procedure to get a Non-O visa and then an extension of stay based on being over 50 (retirement).
Just a tip, which it seems you know all too well now; the correct procedure does NOT involve giving a pile of money and your passport to someone to go get a visa for you :O :/ .
It involves meeting the financial requirements and going to the immigration office in person to apply for the visa and then extension ;)Post back and let us know how it goes once you get your passport back, exit and re-enter the country.
Ronald *************
OPHi Lloyd Turner. My wife was led to believe the man who has an office at the Palladium. She received a receipt for payment which was her evidence at the Police Station. She was led to believe that he was an Immigration lawyer as written on his signboard. My wife comes from a family of Doctors and Diplomats, her older brother works at the Fiji Embassy in Abu Dhabi, her younger sibling at the Fijian Embassy in Wellington, NZ. Her dad's sister worked for 28 years at the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo and uncles all Ambassadors in Brussels, Taiwan and London. She didn't think it was necessary to consult with them on the matter but she's called her brother who's adviced a few minutes ago for me to go to the British Embassy as they are there to assist their nationals living in Thailand of any trouble they encounter.
Ronald *************
OPYes, definitely. I guess that's why my wife felt so guilty she put me through all this problem. A great lesson learnt.
Ronald *************
OPNo
@Lloyd *******
. He has returned the Bank statements to the Police Station.Lloyd ********
The consular services of the embassy are NOT there to interfere with internal affairs, they are there to help nationals in true distress.
Lloyd ********
He, "the lawyer" , still has your bank book ? The one you gave him to show proof of funds ? Or does he still have your proof of income letter ?
Lloyd ********
PS Embassies are not there to interfere in a countries internal affairs.
Lloyd ********
"Ask your embassy for help", saying what ? I tried to circumvent the law - twice - please help me. Sorry, but in this case , you chose an illegal course of action and you are literally paying the price.
Ivan ************
@Ron***
according to the dates you have quoted here, you went to this Indian conman on *****
, which was "22 days" before your visa expired. So your visa expired on *****
, right? Now the salient thing here is that you only get a BAN from Thailand, presuming you present yourself rather than get arrested, if you overstay by more than 90 days. Add 90 days to *****
= *****
, which is next Thursday. You may well have to subtract a day or two depending on the exact count. But the salient point here is that YOU NEED TO LEAVE THAILAND RIGHT NOW and if you do it BEFORE you go over 90 days overstay, you will NOT be blacklisted. You WILL have to pay the 20,000, there is no way around that. Note, this is urgent, you need to get out ASAP as soon as you get your passport back Monday.
Ronald *************
OPThank you,
@Tod ********
. I was advised by one of our acquaintances to seek advice from you since Monday seemed to be a long time waiting. Once again, I am so overwhelmed with the responses and supportive advices.Tod *********
3 thumbz up
@Iv**
, for wading thru that post and getting the details that matter (y) (y) (y)Ronald *************
OPIvan, wow! I am deeply overwhelmed! I will be doing all of these on Monday. My wife has gone to the Internet to print out my ticket. No problem with the 20,000 Thb. I am so enlightened by everyone's concerns, support and advice. Cheers mate!
Ronald *************
OPBrilliant indeed!
Robert *******
Great counting of days, well done.
Robert *******
Ask your Embassy for help and talks with Immigration. Bring the Police report about the attempt fraud of the visa agent, the name and phone number of the Police man, your ticket out of Thailand and hope they will clear it for you. You probably still have to pay the fines. Wish you good luck.
Steve *******
The British embassy wont help you with matters of being 'ripped off' in Thailand. Sad but true. Good luck anyway.
Ronald *************
OPThank you so much! Yes, I have the police report and also the contacts of those involved. I will be taking all of these and my tickets on Monday.
Tammy *********
Hi Robert, go for help at the British embassy. They are there to help you. Best of luck x
Steve *******
Unfortunately the British embassy are very unlikely to help you
Ronald *************
OPThank you Tammy Barrett. I really appreciate your advice.
Tammy *********
@Robert ***********
oooo yes! 🤪Activity
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