Duty free shop ‘theft” scam a case of recycled news
PETALING JAYA, Malaysia - “Gifts in the duty free shop are not supposed to be taken?” This is actually frightening. Many years ago there were cases of genuine tourist ended up being labelled as thief. Such scams are almost unheard of nowadays but one must still be careful.
Recently an article is being circulated on social media and smartphone apps reminding travellers to take note not to receive any gifts from duty-free shops in airports, even if they are free of charge. This is because you may end up as a victim in the scam - as a thief stealing in a duty-free shop.
An author believed to be from Taiwan said: “My friend was shopping in a duty-free shop in Bangkok International Airport, the cashier put a pack of cigar in his bag. He thought that was a gift by the duty-free shop but was arrested by the police for stealing in the shop. He ended up spending two nights in the jail. Thai police asked him for 30,000 Baht in fine before releasing him.”
The article also touched on similar incident not only happen to his friend but also other victims in airports of Singapore, Malaysia and India. Someone had similar experience in Dubai airport.
“Such scam takes place almost every day at the airports throughout the world. These are pre-designed scam with collaboration of airport staff to look for next victim. Staff in duty free shop resorted to such tactic for some quick money. Many believe tourists would never return for the second time!”
Are those stories genuine? Unfortunately, these incidents did take place many years ago.
According to a news report entitled “Tourists warned of Thailand airport scam” on 20 July in 2009 on BBC online, a couple from Cambridge was to fly back to London on 25 April the same year and became victims of the scam at the Bangkok International Airport. Both were regarded as thieves in the duty-free shop. They were later intimidated by the police asking for huge sum of cash. They managed to return home after the British Embassy stepped in to help.
Foreign media described this as “Zig Zag” or Thai airport scam. Even the British Embassy issued warning to travellers to beware of shopping in duty free shop.
Thai authorities have taken action against such scams. Recent such scams are unheard of in the last few years. But to travellers, being more cautious would mean they expose to lesser risks.
