Foreigners ‘deceived’ by visa service

PHUKET: Police yesterday raided a brokerage company after receiving complaints from six foreign nationals who accused the firm of taking their money and failing to deliver visa extension services, causing them to overstay their visas.

The foreign nationals reported to Muang Phuket police and lodged a complaint against the firm. They said at least 60 foreign nationals had been deceived by the firm which has since closed, resulting in them overstaying their visas.

Australian national Kim Shanti, coordinator of the victims’ group and herself a victim, said customers banded together to take legal action against the company.

Ms Shanti said the cheating has tarnished Thailand’s image.

The firm took their travel documents and did not proceed with the visa renewals, she said. Now the visas of some in the group have expired and they must pay a fine.

From what she was told, many affected Russians, Philippines and British nationals are too afraid to take legal action as their visas have expired.

Ms Shanti said one woman employee of the firm even contacted immigration police and called on the authorities to arrest some visa over-stayers.

Police yesterday raided the visa service company at two locations — a house and a commercial building in the downtown Muang district. No one was found.

A neighbour living near the commercial building told police the company had opened about three months ago and was frequently visited by foreigners.

On Monday, four foreign nationals came knocking on the door and left after finding no one there. However, a woman was hiding in the building and dashed out after the four people left, the neighbour said.

Pol Col Sarawut Chooprasit, superintendent of Muang Phuket police, said company registration records revealed the firm was run by three Thais and a foreign national.

Investigators are gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses before pressing fraud charges against the company owners.

Pol Col Thanes Sukchai, chief of the Phuket Immigration Bureau (IB) Office, said he has opened a help centre to receive complaints from victims about their visa extension problems.