Beware The Thai Gem Scam

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Conor is targeted by one of Thailand's oldest scams. He is repeatedly told to visit the Export Centre to take advantage of the annual sale. There, he should buy black sapphires, which are being sold for a fraction of their "true value". To find out more, Conor interviews a man from New York who tells him a similar story and the truth about the rings.

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68 Comments on “Beware The Thai Gem Scam”

  1. I had precisely the same “opportunity” presented to me at that very temple. It may have even been the same guy involved, who just happens to be there at the temple to give you this “great” advice.

     From the tuktuk or taxi driver to everyone you meet along the way, it’s a well orchestrated scam designed to finally take you to the Gem factory, where you can make your purchase of low grade sapphire jewelry with the guarantee of a huge profit when you try to resell it in your home country. This scam has been ongoing for a long time.

    1. +shades2 It’s extremely well orchestrated with players in key positions. Once the taxi or Tuk Tuk driver takes you on this very reasonable “city tour”, everyone you encounter en route is involved.

  2. Scams are every where. Been scammed in Hawaii, stolen credit card #, got charged $12K to my card.
    Lucky, bank wrote it off.
    Next time I used cash for small transactions, no problem.

    1. Actually the banks do and don’t write it off.  What they do is except it as the cost of doing business but slip that cost into all the fees and the poor interest rates that we all get to deal with.  YOU and the rest of us pay for each and every day we get a crappy return on our saving accounts, our checking account fees and the high interest rates on our credit cards.  So they do write it off and then they do not write it off. Luck us.  The merchant got paid by Visa, Master card or AMX almost immediately and long before you filed a complaint usually.

    2. I’ll never trust a bank Again I went to a bank to get a loan I gave the lady my debit card for some strange reason then a few days later I got my paycheck direct deposited so I though nothing of and their was 250 extra dollars so I took out money so a little time has passed and I’m getting charged 70 dollars a month two times a month one in the beginning and one at the end so I storm into the bank with my bank statements and I handed it to them and they said they didn’t know where it was coming from and that they couldn’t do anything

  3. Everyone talks about scams in other countries try living in the UK and paying the one of the highest tax rates and fuel then the government gives it all to someone who sits on their arse all day….then talk to me about being scammed £10.

    1. +Fortnite – Battle Royale PS4
      Then sit on your arse all day enjoying all themoney the government gives you.
      Simples.

    2. Fortnite – Battle Royale PS4 clearly you’ve never been to Norway ?? higher taxes priciest petrol ⛽️ in the world

  4. Never go to the Export centers..NEVER! IT’s a TRAP! And don’t believe in those Buddha Day holiday crap.There’s no such thing. Google what are the thai holidays before you go.

    1. +Cole Croley Dude, you may not have meant it, but your statement implies(clearly) you have to buy your girl jewelry to get laid. You know it. I know it. And if your life is so good, why are you arguing with me on youtube? 

  5. Isn’t it common sense, to NOT buy anything seemingly expensive, in places you’re not familiar with? The most expensive thing I would buy as a tourist, is a pair of flip flops.

    1. Most people buy things based on emotional reactions, it doesn’t have to be a scam. Next time you are out shopping, if you really want something, refrain from buying it, when you are back home a couple of days later, you probably wont want to buy whatever it was you saw. These scams take advantage of “limited time offers” that feed off strong emotions.

  6. LMAO … a former buddhist monk who scams people! I don’t think race is the factor. If you’re a tourist and you act and look gullible, then you’re sure to be approached by scammers.

    1. Every thai person goes to temple as a monk for 3 months, it`s like christians getting confirmed at 16.

    1. abmong hey, this is a bit random but are you serious with that import/export business? I’ve been thinking that too, maybe we could start some business together? I can share my thoughts with you of you’re interested. I actually made this account just to comment for you so I don’t know if u even get a notification for this but I’ll give it a try. ?

    2. Jepu Jee The fact that you created the new account makes your words seem more untrustworthy actually. I would recommend you to contact him via G-mail instead. Ya know, business isn’t just a child play.

    3. Anakin Lumluk You’re right but I didn’t have an account before so I could’t contact Abmong any other way. And do you know how I can find Abmongs G-Mail address that you suggested contacting on?

    4. Jepu Jee Via Google+. Add him on your circle and you should be able to contact him. Alternatively, you can just wait for his reply.

    5. Anakin Lumluk thanks for your advice but I haven’t used Google+ so I’ll wait for him to respond to this. 🙂

  7. watching all these rip-off and scam videos makes me angry but also sad. at this point just take my money I dont care anymore.

  8. Whatever they (the locals) propose , answer -”very interesting, i have something to do now , give me your card or phone number i’ll call you later” …

    1. Or even better.
      If you are approached by a local when in an unfamiliar place, assume they are up to no good, say no thank you, (or nein danke, as it’s unlikely they will speak German), and move on.

  9. My rule of thumb is if I am in a foreign country and a stranger mentions to me about something dealing with money or buying something I think of scam and pass.

    1. All tourist places with souvenir shops have highly inflated prices, never buy anything

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