Hawker Scammed Into Paying ฿12,000 For A "Permit" To Sell Orange Juice

Orange juice scam in Thailand

Scams can unfortunately be seen in every corner of the world, including Thailand. Whether it’s waiting for an online shopping order that never will come or losing a huge sum of money in a business to someone you thought you know, it’s likely you or someone you know have had experience with such trickery.

While it’s common to see the customer being the victim in a scam, this story is about a seller that was swindled by a buyer.

Going viral is a story about a Thai hawker who was tricked into paying a hefty fine for not holding a – fictional – permit that’d allow her to sell high quantities of bottled orange juice.

Here’s what exactly happened.

Scam stories in Thailand:

Thai hawker scammed into paying ฿12,000 for orange juice distribution permit

Currently at over 21,000 shares on Facebook is a post by Ni Pornnipa, a hawker who was tricked into paying a ฿12,000 (~USD385) fine to “officials” claiming she needed a permit to sell over a certain amount of bottled OJ.

The customer making the orange juice order via Facebook chat.
Image credit: Amarin TV

Upon receiving a huge order via Facebook Messenger, Ms. Pornnipa quickly prepared boxes of freshly squeezed orange juice bottles for the customer. They were expected to pick up the goods at 4.30PM on 15th June 2021, and provide an upfront payment of ฿6,400 (~USD205).

When it was close to scheduled pickup time, five customers donning “uniforms and badges” entered her restaurant to have a meal before walking to the back of the restaurant, and asking for what beverages the restaurant offers.

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The scammers are seen wearing a uniform and holding a badge
Images adapted from: Ni Pornnipa

After seeing the 500 bottles of orange juice, one of the customers asked if she had a permit to sell them. Seeing that patrons in the restaurant were a uniform and a badge on, Ms. Pornnipa paid the big sum to them out of panic.

The customer who ordered the orange juice not show up. Ms. Pornnipa later deduced that it was definitely a scam after seeing a picture of one the five “uniformed” incomers earlier on the “customer’s” Facebook.

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Ms. Pornnipa’s Facebook post sharing details about the scam
Image credit: Amarin TV

Translation: Yesterday, I received an order of 500 orange juice bottles and was so happy. Thought I’d finally be getting something during this pandemic time. Turns out to be a total scam with me losing ฿12,000 for it. I now understand those victims in the news.

Not long after, the scammer even blocked the restaurant’s Facebook page.

Story reaches Excise Department

Ms. Pornnipa contacted the Excise Department to ask whether or not she needed a permit to sell the orange juice. They confirmed that she did not. The department elaborated that factory distributors would require the permit, but not her restaurant.

Now, the restaurant owner was 100% sure she was scammed.

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Ms. Pornnipa latest post sharing that she has contacted the Excise Department
Image credit: Ni Pornnipa

The Excise Department is also investigating Ms. Pornnipa’s case further. They are working on finding the scammers’ identities and will update the public soon, according to Amarin TV.

Beware of scammers in disguise

What we can learn from this story is that while there are many well-meaning officials in uniform, there are sadly some who take advantage of the trust that comes with formal regalia.

Ms. Pornnipa was a trusting individual who was excited to receive a bulk order. It’s unfortunate that a small restaurant owner has lost not only a large sum of money but also time and effort spent juicing and bottling all that OJ.

However, the quick and rational way she handled the situation shows us that Ms. Pornnipa will have no problem recovering from this. We’re cheering for her, too.