BANGKOK — An Iranian couple tricked and stole money from foreign tourists in Bangkok by asking to see their wallets, exhibiting the same behavior as two previous cases this year where the suspects were also Iranian.
In the previous cases, the first victim was Chinese (the perpetrators were an Iranian duo), and the next was Russian (the perpetrator was an Iranian man). In this latest case, the victim was a Saudi Arabian tourist.
Police officers from Thonglor Police Station revealed on October 17 that they arrested the Iranian couple, Mr. Mirazim, 51, and Ms. Afsaneh, 47, near Sukhumvit Soi 33, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana District, Bangkok, on October 16 at 8:30 p.m. They were charged with joint theft at night, with evidence of one 500 Saudi riyal banknote.
Previously, the police had received reports from several tourists on different days and times around Asoke intersection and along Sukhumvit Road between Soi 21-35. The victims reported that foreign suspects approached them, engaged in conversation, asked to see their money, and then stole it when the victims were distracted.
From questioning the victims, it was learned that the couple’s tactic was to target foreign tourists. They would approach them, ask to exchange money, and while one distracted the victim with conversation, the other would steal their money. The victims usually realized the theft after the fact.
On October 16, 2023, undercover police officers conducted surveillance to apprehend the suspects. Around 8:30 PM near Sukhumvit Soi 33, they observed the couple approaching a Saudi Arabian tourist and engaging him in conversation.
Mr. Mirazim took the victim’s wallet and opened it while Ms. Afsaneh distracted the Saudi man with conversation. The Saudi tourist didn’t notice when the Iranian man secretly removed money from his wallet. The officers then intervened and asked the Saudi man to check his wallet. He discovered that a 500 riyal banknote was missing.
At this point, both suspects attempted to flee, but the police ordered them to stop and conducted a search. Mr. Mirazim quickly tried to discard the banknote on the ground to destroy evidence, but the police seized it in time. Mr. Mirazim then admitted that the discarded money belonged to the Saudi man.
Background checks revealed that the couple had previously committed similar offenses in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. The police arrested them for the current caught-in-the-act offense and handed them over to investigators for prosecution. The charge of joint theft at night, committed by two or more people, carries a heavier penalty of 1-7 years imprisonment and a fine of 20,000-140,000 baht. The offenders must also compensate for the stolen property.
Initially, the police had the suspects return the money to the Saudi tourist.
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