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Notorious Nigerian romance scammer “Starboy” arrested in Bangkok, Thailand

A top Nigerian scammer known in the black community as “Starboy” was arrested in Bangkok on Thursday, along with five members of his gang also from Nigeria.

The suspect identified as Antonio Joscarlos, along with his 20-year-old Thai girlfriend called Sukanya Sakaew, had used a fake Facebook profile to con lonely middle aged Thai men looking for love by pretending to be a beautiful American female soldier on Facebook.

The suspect and his girlfriend were caught at their JP Smart Condominium in Pak Kret, Chaengwattana area as a part of the government’s crackdown on foreign criminals.

They were chatting to 38 men at the time of their arrest. Victims were persuaded in the “romance scam” to send money to their accounts.

Police found six mobile phones and a few bank books at the apartment, which had a circulating fund of THB3 million (nearly US$92,000).

Taken into evidence were a computer notebook, ten phones, bankbooks, cash and other valuables.
Also arrested yesterday were five friends of “Starboy” – all Nigerians- running investment scams tricking Thai couples. Three million baht in funds was found as part of this subsequent investigation.

Leading the crackdown ordered by prime minister Prayut Chan-ocha and deputy Prawit Wongsuwan is acting tourism police chief Surachet Hakpan who said that romance scams and bogus investment schemes were causing a lot of trouble for the country. The former relied on those looking for love while the latter relied on people’s greed.

Notorious Nigerian romance scammer "Starboy" arrested in Bangkok, Thailand (photos)

All those arrested have been initially detained on fraud and false pretenses charges.

The crackdown is targeting mostly those in the African community using tourism as a cover for illegal activities.

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