Thai victims of an Australian job scam reported losses exceeding 10 million baht to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). The fraudulent network lured job seekers via social media with promises of high-paying agricultural work in Australia.
Victims, accompanied by the BSJ Law Firm, submitted evidence to the CIB in Bangkok on Tuesday. The complainants seek an urgent investigation into a network that recruited Thai workers via social media. Scammers promised high salaries in Australia but demanded deposits and processing fees of hundreds of thousands of baht per person. Despite these payments, victims could not travel as promised.
Investigation and Legal Action
The law firm estimates that dozens of people nationwide have been affected. Several victims borrowed money to cover the recruitment fees. The complainants urged investigators to trace financial transactions, examine contracts, and prosecute the responsible parties. This complaint follows earlier actions by the Ministry of Labor and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) regarding the same network.
How the Scam Operated
Authorities identified a company that scammed job seekers out of 130,000 to 150,000 baht each by falsely offering agricultural work in Australia and New Zealand. Victims received instructions to attend a pre-departure training session at a hotel near the airport on April 25, but the session never took place. Inspectors found the company’s office in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, abandoned. The Department of Employment confirmed the firm lacked a license to recruit workers for overseas jobs.
Official Warnings
The Labour Minister urged Thai citizens to treat high-paying job ads on social media with caution, particularly those for farm or fruit-picking positions. He emphasized that only agencies licensed by the Department of Employment can legally send Thai workers abroad. Prospective workers should verify agency status at doe.go.th/ipd before making payments. CIB officials reported that the company registered in August 2025 and began soliciting payments shortly after. Courts issued warrants for four suspects, and authorities arrested two of them on April 28.
