Swindler fools Aussies with bogus Phuket deals
A computer whiz has been accused of cheating tourists – including Australians – of hundreds of thousands of dollars in an online swindle.
The Phuket package holiday fraud was pulled off by a Hungarian working from one laptop in his bedroom, Phuket police told the local Phuketwan news service.
Police continue to unravel the full extent of the alleged fraud.
Hungarian officials allege that the man defrauded tourists from Hungary, Spain and Australia through online bookings for Phuket packages that never existed.
In the alleged scam, people paid 360 euros or the equivalent for a ”seven day resort holiday” on the Phuket or Phang Nga beachfront. The packages, booked through online sites, allegedly covered fares, transfers, and most costs.
A Phuket Immigration official said that the man persuaded the Tourism Authority of Thailand offices in Thailand and Hungary to support his package offer.
About 100 Hungarians, 50 Spaniards and an undetermined number of Australians lost all their money in the bookings that never materialised, he said.
At least five resorts on and around Phuket were caught in the alleged swindle.
TravelMole Comment: As they say, when something sounds too good to be true…it generally is.
Ian Jarrett
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