A German man visiting Pattaya, Thailand, has contacted police after realizing he was the victim of a scam involving expensive herbal products that claimed to restore his hair. The 57-year-old tourist, named Yilmaz Yuezbazi, went to Mueang Pattaya Police Station late at night to file a formal complaint about the incident.
According to Mr Yuezbazi, he was walking near Pattaya Soi 13/2 when a stranger started a friendly conversation with him. The man soon turned the discussion to the topic of hair loss and offered what he said was a powerful herbal remedy to help regrow hair. Mr Yuezbazi was convinced to buy two bottles for a price of over 22,000 baht, which is more than 500 pounds.
Yuezbazi reported that he was taken to a nearby herbal medicine store where he paid and received the products. Later, after inspecting the bottles and their contents, he noticed there was no evidence on the packaging or inside that supported the promise of hair regrowth. He decided the products were sold at a much higher price than their real value and suspected fraud.
The German tourist submitted the bottles to police as evidence. Information from local sources suggested the suspect could be a Pakistani national. Authorities in Pattaya have stated that some groups allegedly target foreign tourists by promoting herbal products said to have ‘miracle’ effects, often at inflated prices. Other similar scams have been reported in the area; victims are frequently tourists from abroad.
Police are currently reviewing Mr Yuezbazi’s complaint and continuing efforts to reduce scams against foreign visitors. Tourist officials warn that scams are common in popular destinations such as Pattaya and often target people unfamiliar with local customs and prices. The most common scams involve the sale of overpriced or fake herbal medicines, luxury items, or services. While law enforcement sometimes steps in, scammers often face minimal consequences, allowing such schemes to continue.
