@Stuart ********

The people who have had issue have been using bad agent. Good agent work with immigration officer, everyone get their cut, and the stamps and everything are real. Agent can also do your 90 days report for a small fee. The only mistake you are making is confusing legality with legitimacy. Something can be illegal but legit. For example, black market of lotto ticket in Thailand is illegal, but if you win, you get paid fully. Its illegal but not enforced, just like the use of agent. So there is no gray area, its illegal, but not enforced, and the process is legit..

p.s:

@Ross *******

is not speaking from experience, hes fear mongering. He has zero clue what hes talking about.

@Santi *********

There is no chance that you have a warrant in your name given the story you just told us.

Onward tickets are $10, not $150. Many websites sell it.

There are many onward ticket websites that will buy a ticket for you for around 500 baht. This is what most people do to prevent getting refused flight. it's a very cheap solution that always work.

Ofc he can, cops don't care about licenses, you just pay a small fee if caught. + the 500b if you are unlucky once a month.

Ticket to anywhere costs $10 with an online ticket rental website. You do not need an agent.

Anyways, if you take anything from this... please be cautious. I have a Thai wife, she is telling me to tell you to be cautious, so please be. Don't put yourself in a financial mess for a woman you have never met. Receiving money is very easy in Thailand, having issues is extremely uncommon. Do your own investigation or ask a friend who is good with technology to investigate for you. You are 19 years old from what others have said, and the woman looks much older and maybe even a ladyboy. Be very careful, that's all we are saying.

@Rey ******************

It is still important to warn OP that online scam is very predominant in Thailand. He might not know because he is American and has never been here. Most of these stories end up badly, so its worth mentionning.

@Justin *******

How many times did you video call her? Do you have her FB? Did you ever talk to her on the phone?

@Justin *******

If you take anything away from this and be more careful in the future then it's a good thing. If you don't listen then you will learn the hard way. Most people here are speaking from experience because they have been in your situation. Young, with self-esteem issues, cant wait to get out of their shithole city, etc. Then go on an online dating website and realize that, unlike American women, the success rate with Thai women is very high. A lot will chat with you, be very friendly and flirtatious. One thing that most dont realize at first is that most women on Thai dating website will only date foreigners. There are so many red flag and so few women who are there for the right reason.