Police arrested a Thai app-based motorcycle taxi rider for stealing 15,000 baht from a Russian woman in Bangkok and spending all the money on gambling.
The Russian victim, 25 year old Anna Petrova Andreevna, filed a complaint at the Royal Palace Police Station on Friday, December 13, stating that she lost 15,000 baht in cash to the app-based motorcycle taxi rider. The incident occurred in Bangkok’s Old Town.
Andreevna explained that she booked a ride from Tha Tian Pier to Saket Ratchaworamahawihan Temple. The rider, later identified as 29 year old Banphot, parked his motorcycle in front of her. Mistaking him for her assigned rider, she got on his vehicle.
Banphot suggested that Russian woman hand over her backpack, claiming it was at risk of being snatched. He assured her he would keep the bag safe.
He then parked near Wat Pho temple and told Andreevna he mistakenly picked up the wrong passenger and would take her back to her pickup point. Banphot pretended to call her actual rider and falsely informed her that the correct rider would arrive shortly.
After returning the bag to Andreevna, she checked her belongings and discovered that 15,000 baht in cash was missing. Convinced that Banphot was the thief, she reported the matter to the police.
Officers from the Royal Palace Police Station arrested Banphot on Sunday, December 15, and seized the white and black Honda Giorno motorcycle he used in the crime. He was apprehended near the location where the theft occurred.
According to the police report, Banphot hung a small doll at the back of his motorcycle to obscure the registration plate from police view. However, officers were able to identify him.
Banphot confessed to the theft, claiming that he saw the foreigner counting her cash on the roadside and decided to steal it. He pretended to take care of Andreevna’s bag but actually carefully stole money from her. He claimed to spend all the money on betting at a snooker hall.
Police records revealed that Banphot had a criminal history, with two prior offences related to theft and violations of the Public Health Ministry’s regulations in 2014 and 2023.
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