A 57-year-old German industrial engineer has filed a police report after falling victim to a scam involving so-called “miraculous” herbal hair growth supplements, local authorities confirmed Thursday.
The victim, identified as Mr. Yilmaz, told Pattaya City Police in Chonburi province that he had been persuaded to purchase two jars of herbal supplements for more than 22,000 baht (around $708).
According to investigators, Yilmaz was walking near Pattaya Beach Road Soi 13/2 on the evening of December 24 when he was approached by a foreign man. The suspect allegedly engaged him in conversation, claiming to sell a specialized hair tonic capable of regenerating hair on a bald scalp.
Convinced by the sales pitch, Yilmaz followed the man to a nearby herbal shop. However, upon returning home and inspecting the products, he realized they lacked any of the promised benefits and were sold at an exorbitant price.
Police said the incident mirrors a pattern of similar scams in the seaside resort city, where organized groups — often identified as Pakistani nationals — target foreign tourists in popular entertainment districts. The scam typically involves befriending tourists, promoting “miracle” supplements, and leading them into specific shops to complete high-priced purchases.
While many tourists report such incidents, authorities noted that legal action is often limited because victims return to their home countries. In cases where the victims remain in Thailand, police have occasionally raided suspect shops, recovering refunds, though the predatory practices reportedly resume soon after.
Yilmaz is not the first foreigner to fall prey to such schemes this year. On November 12, a 52-year-old German tourist, Mr. Nadir, filed a complaint after being tricked into paying €4,000 ($4,400) for “miraculous” herbal coconut oil under similar circumstances.
Local officials and business leaders are now urging stricter regulation and inspections of herbal supplement outlets to protect Pattaya’s tourism reputation and prevent further scams targeting visitors.
