Six Nigerian nationals have been arrested in Thailand for allegedly running an AI-powered deepfake romance scam from a luxury condominium along the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi Province. The operation, uncovered during a cocaine trafficking investigation, involved the use of artificial intelligence to generate fake identities and video calls to deceive Thai women into transferring money. Police executed raids on May 22, 2026, after tracing financial links from a previous drug bust that led to a high-end riverside apartment complex near Phra Nangklao Bridge.
The investigation began in April when Thai authorities arrested a Nigerian man named Patrick and three associates on cocaine trafficking charges. During the raid, police seized 2.5 million baht in assets, which led them to follow the money trail to foreign nationals living in student visa status. These individuals were found residing five or six to a unit in the luxury condo, none enrolled in any educational institution and none engaged in legitimate employment.
Thai police carried out three separate warrant executions, forcing entry into the apartments after the suspects refused to open the doors. During the operation, one suspect attempted to escape by climbing over a balcony, while another hid under a bathroom floor, sending warning messages to other units. Officers seized 18 mobile phones, three laptops, and three bank passbooks, with several devices still open to active scam conversations.
The suspects allegedly posed as pilots, U.S. military officers, doctors, and engineers to build emotional connections with older Thai women. Once trust was established, they would claim that a valuable package was stuck in customs and required a transfer fee to release it. Investigators recovered AI-generated Western faces used to create realistic video calls, along with pre-written “sexy chat” scripts designed to manipulate victims emotionally and financially.
Police revealed that a single well-crafted message could convince a victim to empty her bank account. The six Nigerians now face initial charges of illegal association (อั้งยี่) and immigration overstay. Additional charges related to fraud and romance scams are still pending as authorities continue their investigation.
Footage shared by DAILY POST showed Thai police forcefully entering one of the apartments during the raid, highlighting the intensity of the operation. The case underscores the growing use of technology in transnational fraud schemes and the increasing collaboration between law enforcement agencies to combat such crimes. As digital scams evolve, authorities in Nigeria and across Africa remain vigilant, warning citizens about the dangers of online romance fraud and urging caution in digital interactions.
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