CONSUMER PROTECTION BOARD DENIES ALL RESPONSIBILITY

No help for Burapa Lapidary victims



The Thai Gem Scam Group (www.oocities.org/thaigemscamgroup) met with representatives of the Consumer Protection Board on April 24, 2002 in a meeting that highlighted the inability of Thai authorities to take action against the continued fraud in Bangkok. Despite their earlier promises to help out victims scammed by Burapa Lapidary, the CPB now claims that they took no action against the store, have no idea where the owner is, and don't even have investigation or arrest powers.


The CPB claimed that their scope was limited to labelling and promotion, and that when they went to Burapa Lapidary regarding claims of jewellery, the owner simply fled. According to the investigating officer, the CPB then took possession of the inventory and will hold it until the owner pays a fine for false advertising. Bizarrely, the CPB claims that if the owner does not pay the fine, the CPB is supposed to hold the inventory forever, rather than selling it off and using the proceeds to repay the victims of the scam.


According to the CPB, investigation and arrest powers rest with the Tourist Police. The Tourist Police, in turn, claim that they are powerless to intervene in jewellery scams because it is considered a civil offence. The Thai Gem Scam Group argues that these sales are, in fact, criminal offences, as the sales are made under false pretences. All victims reported that the gem stores assured them they were buying jewellery that was duty free and that they would not have to pay taxes for importing the gems back home. Several members have since had their gems seized by their country's Customs, and are facing import duties of thousands of dollars.


In a related development, the Thai Gem Scam Group received information that the same people who ran Burapa Lapidary were now operating a new store called Thai Manee, on Thanon Tanao. A group of Burapa Lapidary victims went to the store on April 25, 2002 to seek a refund, but arrived to find the store closed. A search in a back alley revealed an empty Tourist Police van. Witnesses reported that officers from the Royal Thai Police had arrested four people only 30 minutes earlier, and were taken to the Khao San Road Police Station. Officers in that station said that they had no information regarding Thai Manee. The Thai Gem Scam Group is still seeking any Thai government body that is able to assist victims of the gem scam.


The Thai Gem Scam Group is a group of foreign tourists who have fallen victim to the notorious Bangkok Gem Scam. Its mission is to provide members with accurate information and warnings on suspected corrupt officials. The Group also maintains a website to help victims, mails out daily updates and holds daily meetings. The Group is drafting a series of proposals to combat the scam.


The Thai Gem Scam Group consists of some 80 members, representing 20 countries, who are frustrated by the inability of Thai authorities to stop the Bangkok Gem Scam. This scam is estimated to cost foreign tourists between $USD50 million and $USD100 million per year.


Contact: thaigemscamgroup@yahoo.com


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thaigemscamgroup@yahoo.com