Jewellery and Gem Scams., Bangkok

The classic scam is the jewellery scam. Watch out for tuk-tuk drivers who tell you the attraction you want to go to is closed (it's generally not) but they will take you to another one istead (normally a jewellery shop they get commission from). Others may even refuse to take you where you want to go unless you agree to visit a the above mentioned jewellery shop. My travel mate decided she wanted to check out some earrings, and would not hear the word scam - so we were taken to a jewellery shop. She ended up buying a pair of golden earrings - not even too cheap - and decided to wear them the same evening. needless to say she got an infection - hence golden my a**! Should you want to buy jewellery, go to an approved thai gem and jewellery trader association shop: you'll pay more, but you'll at least get what you pay for

A gentle reminder to all who visit this site. All these scams are real. I am an experienced traveller who was "scammed" into buying a low grade ruby for a great deal of money. Even the jeweller of the Swissotel Nai Lert Park was unhelpful prob due to their local courtesy. There is no special one day discount in Thailand at all. The Thai Local Product is a sham factory. There is simply no redress from the Thai Police so as a traveller, let it be reminded that "buyer bewares". The warnings about tuk-tuk or friendly teacher or lawyer are true. They can suss out gullibles [even I looked so and they were correct]. They will all claim relationships with Southeast Asians or produce false testimonies. Remember these scamsters are very sophisticated. My BKK trip was lovely but marred by these scams. Resist all temptation to buy from these shops and stick to the Thai friends' recommended ones.

We just returned from a package tour to Bangkok and pattaya, and though we enjoyed the trip, my impression of thailand has gone so bad that I will never return to this country, simply because the police or thai tourist authorities just donot care (or worse are hand in glove with day light scamsters).We were travelling to Bangkok from Pattaya when our guide announced that we would be taken to a 'govt. owned' Gem factory where we would be shown how gems are 'cut and polished' and then they would show us there the world's biggest jewelry store, which by the size of it may be true(big as a football stadium). They showed us a short film very impressively made about how Thailand was the biggest source of precious colored gems and this factory was the biggest. We were then taken down to the store where there are rows and rows of gems displayed immaculately and the smmoth talking sales girls 'talked' 6 of the families to make various purchases all amounting to about 75,000 Bahts. Even those of us who did not have cash were brainwashed smoothly to use our credit cards. We returned to our home country yesterday and when we appraised these 'precious gems' and gold jewelry the overall cost is not more than 1,000 bahts at the very most ( we cross checked with atleast 4 leading gemologists). After we realised how badly we were scammed we saw that the receipts and certificate have been given in the name of 'KK jewelers" and there is no mention of VSK any where(I couldnot also Google there website). I tried the phone numbers to no avail and we are couriering back the 'junk jewelry' back to this scamster and am trying to complain to he Thai tourist authorities about these crooks. PLEASE BE AWARE AND DONOT BUY ANY JEWELRY ORGEMS ANY WHERE IN BANGKOK. I wish some body had educated us about this fraud before.

I have been Bangkok for business reasons for three days from India .Practically speaking I never thought i had faced the scam , as we appreciated the things we purchased , my friend even though told me once we return that its devalued purchase.

Got a chance to visit Vat etc on one day . Me and my friend decided to take a MRT and then there was a tuk tuk driver outside the stop.
We decided to take the same as we thought by this way we can see things . We came to know from one person who was a thai that today Palace is closed at this time and would be open only after two as King is visiting .
We then thought to move other places , we visited 3-4 vats and we appreciated the kind of time that this tuk tuk driver is giving . We also decided to tip this guy . We met one guy from Belgium ( who told himself) and said what things you have visited , he was a friendly guy just told me about places and then said his gf purchased one watch which is very cheap here and she sold back in her country . Further adding he said that India is a good place , and he would be visiting Andaman , he has friends in Bangalore etc etc .

We just moved on . From there the tuk tuk driver took to one of the destination as per map once that gets over he gave us one letter which said " please help this driver if you visit a particular store he would get 5 litre of petrol free "

We thought its good way of supporting this guy . Boss we went there , it was huge store , lot of tourist vehicles etc . Cars were parked including tuk tuks as well. Being located in the city Agra , I know lot of things like this happen in Agra as well where after seeing Taj Mahal they take them to some of places of marble and then rip people off the money ( its disgusting when I hear about Agra , but the fact of matter is its true) .

The professional staff all the way took us inside , said it was King's own gem store so its 100 % Quality , we provide the certificate and what not . The manager then shown us the way how we process gems from raw material , ruby is found only in Thai and stories blah blah .

Even in Agra the same happens , tourist are shown how marble inlay work is being done .

Then once we entered it was huge place for jewellery , and there were ladies managers who were all the profisient to sell us . We decided not to purchase and I told them hey I do not have the money , its all in the Hotel and no cards . But by the time they asked which Hotel , I told Hotel Emerald , they said do not worry we will take care. Until thins were sold to us , they decided to drop us to the Hotel and also sent the lady to take the money in Dollars

We gave money and took the material . Until we return to India and found its devalued , even though to whom we gave were happy as they said it did not mattered value to them but who has given is important .

I did not knew that I have paid atleast twice for the same thing . So guys be careful . better do not purchase ! ! Get in your own country , it might be a little more but still you have a chance to get back . And one more thing they would also give you a picture of quality certificate . With your material photo . Oh ! what a way to make money ....

Unless you're an expert don't buy anything. But go to a gem shop because you read about all the people that got tricked into going and because you're curious about what it's all about. It's actually kinda interesting and I bet if you went to Bangkok and never went to a gem shop the curiousity of what they were about would irk you! Plus it's funny to mess around with all the sales ladies.

BEWARE OF TOUTS & GEM SCAMS: Don't fall for "friendly" guides, who speak preety good English. They may drive a taxi ot tuk-tuk.They hang out near major tourist sites, hotels and shopping areas and they'll tell you the temples are closed (holiday, cleaning, the king relatives passed away, whatever). They will try to take you along on a "get rich quick" scheme sold as a cheap day-long tour of the city. Trust me, you'll end up going to a fake gem store or a crappy tailor or a massage parlour, or worse. The tuk-tuk driver will tell you that he will get a coupon of petrol when he bring you to the shop and this will make a pitty on him and you will agreed to go to the shop in order for the driver to get free coupons, this all were lies from them. This syndicate were well perform and trained and very proffesional and to tell you some of this gang members were foreigners (Not Thai) which will try to convince you on buying the fake gems. For the Thai people of this gang, don't make shame on your country and your Beloved King. You are just making bad image on your own county and your own people, as a result we do not trust any taxi driver or tuk-tuk driver that are hanging around the tourist attraction or the hotel. Avoid hangling with tuk-tuk drivers and take a taxi (flag fall B35, with an average fare or less than B100). Always flag a moving taxi, not one waiting by the hotel or tourist site. (they just want to rip you off) For the autorities of Thailand action must be taken by their govermenton this group of syndicate to prevent them from insulting the image of Thailand. What a SHAME!

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Phew! I am making another trip to Bangkok in Mar'08,Lucky Budda Temple is one of the location that I planned 2visit again! As, back in 2002, I made a wish there! I been wanted 2 go back to"thank" the wish. Well~~~Haha!

I feel so so so so so so blessed to read this here now!!! \(^_^)/

Sharing few other sites that commented about the scam as well~
1. http://angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/Scams/sapp51.shtml
2. http://angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/Scams/stores.shtml
3. http://my.opera.com/hiung/blog/show.dml/496613
4. http://www.into-asia.com/bangkok/gemscam/
5. http://www.kukujian.com/2007/06/27/bangkok-a-city-i-didnt-cock/
6. http://www.maddogproductions.com/bangkok.htm
7. http://dest.travelocity.com/DestGuides/0,,AOLSVC%7C5944%7C3%7C1%7C241914,00.html

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OMG~I TOO,MET THIS EXACT WHOLE SCAM WHEN I WAS IN BANGKOK IN Nov2002!!! (-0-)|||

Was with friend on way to shoppng~ met this con men who managed to talked us in2 it, with addition story of this prestige monk who can look in2 our future & advice us 4better. We made the trip 2 the Lucky Buddha Temple & that's start of our ruined day!!!! After our offering 2the Buddha,we met a con man outside, sharing with us the "Gem Bargins!" at Thai Export, the Tuk tuk driver came directed us 2where the Monk is, knowing we are going to visit the monk, Mr.Con man friendly offer to wait for us.

We enter a room, the monk whom accompanied by a chinese man speaking fluent English,we introduce each other & he start looking in2 our "Future" & "Advices". The Monk advice my friend 2wear Saphhire & me,a Ruby 2bring us better luck! Thank the Monk & left, Mr. Con man still waiting outside~ relating 2what the monk advice, we thought we might get great deal for our LUCKY GEMS! So we again, stupidly flows with the scam 2Thai Export!

Well, Despite we were so so convinced by the con gem shop, being poor students then, we have neither $ nor cardit cards in their favour! Then,the lady boss nicely "offered" us 2make IDD calls 2our family members, 2transfer $ 2us 2buy their Jewellery! Glad finally we came down deciding not 2buy any,the gem shop con gangs were so furious & asked us 2pay the IDD bills! Well~We were luckily conned at overcharged rate of 100bht 4that 10~20mins IDD Calls. We were so furious with their attitude, but, gave in in order 2safely get out from there! The tuk tuk driver then pitifully asking us 2spare him 10mins 2go 2this Tailor shop without buying anything, which he later can earned a "little fee" from them. Being nice girls, we gave in~ & get out there furiously as well!