Extortion rounds: Fake cops hitting shops in Prachin Buri
Retailers of low-cost goods in Prachin Buri have asked provincial authorities to investigate a recent raid on several shops by four bogus policemen in uniform who seized what they termed counterfeit items and demanded “protection” money.
Thirty business operators on Tuesday asked Deputy Governor Pol Colonel Ronnapop Porn-arun whether even real police are authorised to conduct such searches and seizures.
Also hearing their complaint were Prachin Buri Internal Security Operations Command deputy chief Colonel Winai Butrak, provincial police superintendent Pol Colonel Kollayut Donphaew, and Kornwipa Mulsak, a litigation official at the Damrongtham Centre based in the province.
The merchants told them the bogus cops had demanded Bt1,500-Bt3,000 from the owners of each shop raided and offered them “protection” against further visits in exchange for Bt1,000-Bt2,000 per month.
The retailers noted that fake police in uniform had attempted extortion in Prachin Buri before.
Winai advised them to contact him directly if their shops were being searched so he could determine whether the action was legal.