Khaosarn Road - A new scam?

[PhuketJimmy]

What are you doing messing with punjabs in BKK....they are a mere nick above Nigerians.....Immi Coppers ought to round them up as most are overstays......Low Life

[fleaz]

hi, im from singapore and there are recently a few case of hypnotizing china man here. they will ask u if u want to have your fortune read, once u make eye contact. u will kinda like give them your $ without yourself realise.

[malek]

Originally Posted by ianwuk

I 'had a lucky face'.

These guy's are hunters and you are a potential victim,they choose you because you have the right profile.

He then gave me a card which looked dubious but said that he would read my future for free.

In this world there is nothing for free
For free is a "red flag" it should be a warning to be carefull.

We went to a nearby alley and he started talking and I have to admit that what he did was impressive (his name was Yogi) and he then said I have to pay him and he gave me three values (poor, middle and rich) and I had to pick one (they were in US dollars) and I knew I should have walked away.

Sure you had to walk away, or remind him about the fact that is was FOR FREE and no matter what, you will not pay.If they hassle you,stop talking and walk away. end of line
It was an expensive lesson so learn from it. They might try it again, with a different scam,so don't make the same mistake.

[badfish]

Just curious, how do you think they know your mother's name?

[mesqulator]

This happened to me just today...and thanks to this thread it saved me 7000 Baht on Rambutri Road Bangkok.

The guy approached me and told me he liked my vibe and I was a good natured person and that he was a Yogi from India was interested in helping me.

He told me things about me and about my nature that are not naturally very open to the public at first glance... and he told me he would be able to tell me more.

He led me down an alley and asked me where I was from and he pulled out a briefcase with pictures of gurus and yogis and showed me a picture which he claimed he was a disciple of one of these gurus..

Anyway... He used alot of tricks and was extremely mesmerising... To this point I still do not have any idea how he could have known the name of my mother, my girlfriend, how old I am and how many brothers and sisters I have. It is my guess he is using techniques such as what Darren Brown the famous "NLP" street hypnotist uses..

It happened pretty much exactly as Ian Wuk described and I was only lucky that I had lost my bank card and that I had to ask my girlfriend what she thought about me giving him 7000 Baht to finish his healing/fortune telling. These guys are very skilled fakir/conmen so watchout. Luckily I only lost 100baht. However the effects of his hypnotic tricks left me quite rattled afterwards and I still have no idea how he did it.

Thanks to all who have offered advice here... my Girlfriend immediately went onto the internet and found this thread and warned me strongly against dealing with this man.



Good luck.

[peacerichard]

Originally Posted by mesqulator

This happened to me just today...and thanks to this thread it saved me 7000 Baht on Rambutri Road Bangkok.

The guy approached me and told me he liked my vibe and I was a good natured person and that he was a Yogi from India was interested in helping me.

He told me things about me and about my nature that are not naturally very open to the public at first glance... and he told me he would be able to tell me more.

He led me down an alley and asked me where I was from and he pulled out a briefcase with pictures of gurus and yogis and showed me a picture which he claimed he was a disciple of one of these gurus..

Anyway... He used alot of tricks and was extremely mesmerising... To this point I still do not have any idea how he could have known the name of my mother, my girlfriend, how old I am and how many brothers and sisters I have. It is my guess he is using techniques such as what Darren Brown the famous "NLP" street hypnotist uses..

It happened pretty much exactly as Ian Wuk described and I was only lucky that I had lost my bank card and that I had to ask my girlfriend what she thought about me giving him 7000 Baht to finish his healing/fortune telling. These guys are very skilled fakir/conmen so watchout. Luckily I only lost 100baht. However the effects of his hypnotic tricks left me quite rattled afterwards and I still have no idea how he did it.

Thanks to all who have offered advice here... my Girlfriend immediately went onto the internet and found this thread and warned me strongly against dealing with this man.



Good luck.

" he led you down an alley" ?

why on earth did you go.

[Surawut]

These scammers are often in Sukhumvit Rd as well, operating between Sois 7 and 3. Turbanned Indians. They approach Farangs saying "You are a very lucky man, do you want to know why?" or "Can I talk to you ?You have a very lucky face" Most people ignore them of course but there are some who would fall for it. I find something pathetic about them!

[tomboR]

Peacerichard,

That's the same question in my mind. The OP said this too.

"We went to a nearby alley"

Nobody who is genuine deals or performs in an alley. Anyone who asks you to go to an alley is hiding something and is out to scam you, no doubt about it.

I have seen these people since the first time I ever went to Bangkok. They used to approach me but I would clearly tell them to get lost and I am not coy or particularly polite about it. These people are thieves and don't deserve any respect as far as I am concerned.

I think sometimes people think the genuine Thai polite way applies here. It does not!

If you met such people in Glasgow, London or Dublin you would laugh at them and wouldn't even give it a second thought.

First time tourists in Bangkok are often already mesmerized by the sights, the smells and the general buzz of Bangkok. These vultures spot that a mile away and prey on them.

They don't seem to come near me anymore. Maybe it's just the look I give them, or perhaps I don't fit their profile as one who will be easily lead.

Just tell them clearly and sternly "I'm not interested" and walk away. They will not pursue you in case they draw attention to themselves, and will change their focus to the next victim.

Remember, nothing is for free!

[Betti]

one of my friends recently fell for this crap in Bangkok. I was really surprised because he is not a newcomer, and he is usually so down to earth and realistic. afterwards, he just couldn't explain what had happened. he said it had been all blurry. hypnosis?

[tomboR]

Originally Posted by Betti

one of my friends recently fell for this crap in Bangkok. I was really surprised because he is not a newcomer, and he is usually so down to earth and realistic. afterwards, he just couldn't explain what had happened. he said it had been all blurry. hypnosis?

It certainly seems like there are some psychological mind tricks going on.
That's all the more reason to refuse to engage in conversation with these people.