A vengeful Thai transgender woman duped over 70 Japanese men, defrauding them of nearly 30 million baht (approximately Rs 7.36 crore) for over 13 years.
The police arrested the trans woman called Amy last month. The police disclosed that her criminal activities were triggered by a painful breakup with her Japanese boyfriend years ago, which left her emotionally shattered and financially burdened, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
“When I was in college, my Japanese boyfriend abandoned me during a trip and left me to pay all the bills.I was heartbroken,” she said.
“I was also scammed out of money by another Japanese man I dated before, so I really hate the Japanese and wanted to take revenge on Japanese men.”
The police launched the investigation after a Japanese man complained that he was conned by Amy who posed as a Hong Kong tourist and had lost her passport and purse.
She borrowed money for him to cover his hotel expenses, insuarance and medical bills, costing to 15 million baht. They also developed an intimate relationship after exchanging contact details.
On August 4, the 49-year-old Thai trans woman, whose real name is Uthai Nantakhan, was arrested in Bangkok.
The police revealed that she had employed a modus operandi of pretending to be a tourist from Taiwan or Hong Kong who had lost her money, to manipulate men and gain their sympathy.
She also lured victims into investing in fake businesses, later claiming the projects had failed and making off with their investment funds.
Police reports indicate that Amy scammed 73 Japanese men out of 26 million baht between 2011 and 2024, reported South China Morning Post.
In Thailand, people convicted of fraud can face up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of 60,000 baht (approx Rs 1,47,289).