One of my favorite places in the world is Thailand. I absolutely love the food, the beaches (Phuket is our favorite) and most of all – the people. The people feel very genuine and kind, super nice and welcoming which makes Thailand one of my favorite places but unfortunately, I experienced being scammed in Thailand for the very first time. I am sharing my experience because I hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else. The amount I lost is small compared to what others lose in a scam – but it is still my hard earned money so I am sharing my experience so others can learn from this.
Feb 17 2023
On Feb 17, I messaged an Instagram online store called @rihanna_handicrafts to order hand-blocked Indian cotton. The seller was very friendly, she even sent me more fabric print options via Line and WhatsApp (number +66 98 067 4811). She had lovely fabric options so I was so excited to order.
May 14 2023
On May 14, I finally made up my mind and placed an order of 15 meters of fabric. The order total and amount transferred was THB 2,300 to this bank account:
Kasikorn Bank
บัญชีกสิกรนะคะ
0641403628
กสิกร.
ซัยนับ สะมะยีตา / Zainab Samayita
Tel: 0980674811
IG: @rihanna_handicrafts
Facebook link of store: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075824201509&mibextid=ZbWKwL
Zainab Samayita (the Instagram seller) promised to deliver the product by May 15 or May 16 latest.
May 17 2023
This is where I already had a gut feel I have been scammed. Zainab Samayita (the Instagram seller) promised to deliver the parcel by May 16 Tuesday. She even sent me a “photo” of my fabric on May 17 but unfortunately, after countless times of following up, there was still no sign of the fabric by May 28. Every day, it was excuse after excuse why Zainab Samayita could not send me the tracking info of the item I paid for on May 14 2023.
May 29 2023
This is where it gets interesting – these scammers work so hard. On May 29, Zainab Samayita sent me a Flash Express “tracking number” of my order but after tracking the number until June 5 – the Flash Express website still said the same info that the tracking information does not exist AT ALL. The scammer gave me a fake tracking number. Insane.
June 9 2023
On June 9, I called out Zainab Samayita on the fake Flash Express tracking information then she agreed to send the item via Grab. I was too naive to believe this and of course – nothing arrived from Grab. I was already very frustrated since my order has been pending since May 14 so I just simply asked for a refund. On June 12, Zainab Samayita agreed to send me my refund but unfortunately, no refund has been made up until the writing then she eventually said her baby is sick. I do hope she has used the money for a good cause but be careful with online scammers like Zainab Samayita.
