Iranian couple nicked after pulling sneaky money scam on touristsLegacyHolidaymakers in Pattaya got more than they bargained for when a smooth-talking Iranian couple allegedly fleeced unsuspecting tourists out of their hard-earned cash before the long arm of the law finally caught up with them. Pattaya Tourist Police chiefs Police Lieutenant Colonel Torlap Tinamat, Pol. Lt. Col. Supharat Meeprecha, Pol. Maj. Apichart Jarurak, with Chon Buri Immigration Police yesterday, April 28, at 4pm, paraded the Iranian couple at a press conference after nabbing them for a cheeky con that targeted tourists’ wallets. The suspects, named as 49 year old Ahmadi Fiouj Hooshang, 42 year old Mrs Mahmodi Kiya Ameneh, were slapped with charges of “jointly committing theft at night or receiving stolen goods”. It all kicked off on the night of April 24, when the Tourist Police Hotline (1155) took a frantic call from an Israeli holidaymaker. He reported being scammed by a Middle Eastern-looking man and woman, who had sweet-talked him into showing off his US dollars outside Twin Palms Resort, only for US$700 to vanish into thin air. Officers from Tourist Police Division 4 sprang into action, interviewing the victim and whisking him off to file an official complaint at Pattaya City Police Station. A swift investigation revealed the pair were holed up in a Jomtien area hotel. In a joint sting with Chon Buri Immigration cops, police raided the room and found the suspects along with crucial evidence: the exact clothing worn during the scam and seven US$100 bills tucked inside a wallet, the serial numbers matching the stolen notes. Picture of the stolen cash courtesy of Pattaya News The slippery duo were promptly detained and handed over to investigators to face justice, Pattaya News reported. Police say the scam was a classic “short change” trick, the pair would strike up a friendly chat with tourists, pretending they had never seen foreign currency before. Once the victim whipped out their cash, sleight of hand did the rest. Tourist Police Command has since urged all visitors and residents to stay sharp and guard their valuables closely. Anyone spotting suspicious behaviour is urged to ring the Tourist Police Hotline (1155), available around the clock. According to TPN Media, this sort of scam isn’t new to Thailand’s tourist hotspots, with several similar arrests in the past. Police stress: never flash your cash to strangers — or you might find it disappears faster than you can say “holiday money”! Pictures courtesy of Pattaya News The story Iranian couple nicked after pulling sneaky money scam on tourists as seen on Thaiger News.