Police arrested a suspected female fraudster who allegedly dressed as a cop to scam men in Thailand.

Fatina Nanthaariyakun, 21, reportedly posed as a seductive policewoman working a local station in the southern province of Narathiwat in 2023.

She began dating a Thai man was was enamoured by her fake online persona. She reportedly swindled him out of 400,000 THB (9,500 GBP) by pretending to be pregnant with his baby.

The suspected romance scammer was arrested at a bus stop in Bangkok on January 9, following a year-long hunt for her.

Police Colonel Pratchaya Baite, superintendent of the Narathiwat City Police Station, said: 'The victim admitted to dating the suspect through an app in late 2023. The woman claimed to be a police officer then later claimed to be pregnant. She asked him for money to help her through the fake pregnancy.'

To appear legitimate, Fatina had allegedly sent heavily filtered selfies of herself in police uniform while pretending to work at a police desk. She also went by the fake name 'Phitchayanit Boonyaratkalin' as she faked being related to the former Royal Thai Army commander-in-chief Sonthi Boonyaratklin.

She was also found to have forged employment contracts and hospital documents she had sent to the victim to prove her pregnancy.

Authorities said Fatina and her ex-boyfriend had been in negotiations for damages in 2024, but she suddenly disappeared in the middle of the year.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Woraphat Sukthai of the Bang Sue District Police Station said: 'We asked why she decided to wear a police uniform, and she replied she did so because she thought it was cool. Her testimonies were confusing and she seems to be avoiding telling the truth. She only claimed it was a long story.'

Police added they were investigating the involvement of Fatina's mother, who allegedly supported the romance scam.

Local media reported that Fatina is now married to a soldier who was allegedly unaware of her criminal past.

Fatina faces charges of fraud, forgery, and impersonating a police officer.

Fraud is punishable by jail of up to three years, a fine of up to 6,000 baht, or both under Section 341 of the Thai Criminal Code.

Under Section 154 of the Royal Thai Police Act, 'any person who wears clothing which resembles a police uniform and... causes another person to believe that he or she is a police officer' may face up to three months in jail, a fine between 1,000 and 10,000 baht, or both.

While Section 264 of the Thai Criminal Code says that forgery carries a penalty of up to three years, a fine of up to 6,000 baht, or both.


(1 GBP = 42.23 THB)