Jagat Coin hunters allegedly broke into properties leaving behind damage and distress among locals in Thailand.

The virtual treasure seekers, mostly teenagers, would allegedly climb over fences, dug holes in gardens, or invade homes to search for the coins in Chiang Mai.

Footage shows players out in the street rummaging through shrubs looking for the virtual coins with their phones and a torch.

They move along into roadsides in groups and would walk between plants for the collectibles.

Residents reported youngsters to Chang Phueak Police Station in Chiang Mai which issued a warning on January 21 against trespassing or vandalising properties.

A police station officer said: 'The application is causing problems. Participants are at risk of acting illegally. They are being a nuisance to residents.'

Police warned players to refrain from invading private properties as they would be charged.

A local coffee shop owner Pimok Khunathorn said: 'Some teenagers gathered here on January 19 afternoon. They arrived on motorbikes. They were walking everywhere looking for something.'

Pimok added he was curious and also afraid that they were up to something illegal but they told him about the coin.

He said: 'I did not mind it at first but there were ten of them here until 9pm searching around.'

Jagat Coin is a treasure-hunting game on the Jagat app, where players search for coins that can be exchanged for cash prizes.

Gold coins are worth 200,000 baht (4,782.55 GBP), silver coins are valued at 20,000 baht (478.26 GBP), and bronze prizes are worth up to 2,000 baht (47.83 GBP).

To participate, players must subscribe for a monthly fee of 149 baht (3.56 GBP), with an additional 29 baht (0.69 GBP) charged for each clue they unlock.

In Thailand, Jagat Coin Hunt is currently available in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Chonburi's Pattaya.

(1 THB=0.02 GBP)