Pakistani Nationals Arrested in Pattaya for Overpriced Herbal Product Scam

Pattaya police successfully apprehended six Pakistani nationals on June 19, following numerous complaints regarding a herbal product scam targeting foreign tourists. The group was accused of selling ordinary herbal remedies at inflated prices while making exaggerated claims about their health benefits. Both local residents and international visitors had urged Pattaya police to intervene, citing deceptive sales tactics. Victims reported being pressured into purchasing products advertised with promises of rapid hair regrowth and significant belly fat reduction. However, these items were widely available elsewhere at considerably lower prices. In one instance, a victim discovered they had been charged a much higher amount via credit card than initially agreed upon. Another individual reportedly suffered physical assault for refusing to buy the products. Public awareness of the scam escalated after Lakhsman Singh, president of the Indian Community Pattaya, confronted members of the group as they approached potential customers. A video of this confrontation, showing one suspect making an offensive gesture towards Singh, quickly circulated online. Prompted by these events, Pattaya Immigration Police launched a sting operation. Undercover officers were deployed along Beach Road near Pattaya Beach. When the suspects approached and began promoting their herbal products, the operative was escorted to their shop and offered several items at exorbitant prices. Following this, officers entered the premises and conducted a thorough search. During the operation, police discovered multiple sales receipts indicating total transactions exceeding 300,000 baht. Investigators noted that some customers had reportedly paid over 60,000 baht for what were later identified as common herbal products.