A fraudster has been arrested for lèse majesté after deceiving villagers into thinking she was a volunteer nurse under one of the late King’s royal projects. 

 

On 11 November 2016, police officers in Nakhon Sawan Province arrested Wandi Laikhlaidok, 48, for defamation, fraud and lèse majesté. Police reported that Wandi had falsely claimed to a villager that she was a nurse under one of late King Bhumibol’s royal projects as part of a fraudulent scheme, reported Manager Online.

 

The villagers who filed the report, Suphin Phonphongphakdi and Mana Chanthabun, said that Wandi told Suphin that she was a nurse under a nationwide royal project. She claimed that the project wanted to offer land, a tractor and 30,000 baht in cash to cassava farmers in exchange of a copy of their birth certificates, ID cards, house registrations and 5,000 baht to cover operational costs.

 

After Suphin consulted with her family, she called Wandi and pretended to accept the deal. Suphin recorded the conversation and filed a report to the police. The authorities arrested Wandi at a convenience store where the transaction was to be made. 

   

After interrogation, Wandi pleaded guilty. She admitted she has performed scams like this many times in various regions including the north, northeast and central region.

 

According to Manager Online, the police are investigating if there are any other persons conspiring with Wandi, adding that bail will be denied under any circumstances.