BANGKOK — Thailand's Ministry of Labour has vowed to take legal action against an unlicensed visa company accused of defrauding dozens of Thai job seekers with fake employment offers in Ireland.
Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat said 20 job seekers from Chiang Rai Province filed complaints after paying between 290,000 and 350,000 baht each to a company that promised jobs as sales assistants and warehouse packers in Ireland.
According to the victims, they were told they would receive legitimate employment contracts. However, upon arrival in Ireland, immigration authorities determined that the contracts were forged. The workers were subsequently detained, prosecuted for immigration violations, and deported to Thailand.
The minister said he has instructed the Department of Employment to collect evidence from all victims and file criminal complaints against those responsible. Authorities are also expanding the investigation after receiving information suggesting that more than 60 people may have fallen victim to the scheme, with total financial losses estimated at 21 million baht.
"The Ministry of Labour is deeply concerned about workers and their families. This scam exploited people seeking better opportunities to support their loved ones," Julapun said, adding that authorities would pursue the perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law.
Department of Employment Director-General Somchai Morakotsriwan said investigators found that the company had used fraudulent employment contracts typical of online scam operations.
When Irish immigration officials contacted the purported employer listed in the documents, the company confirmed that it had not recruited foreign workers and that its identity had been fraudulently used.
The department also found that the company was not licensed to recruit and place Thai workers overseas. Instead, it was registered only to provide tourist visa services.
Officials stressed that tourist visas cannot legally be used for employment in Ireland, and warned job seekers to verify whether recruitment agencies are officially licensed before paying any fees.
Authorities said the company's actions may constitute offenses under Thailand's Employment and Job Seeker Protection Act. Individuals convicted of fraudulently claiming they can arrange overseas employment may face three to ten years' imprisonment, fines ranging from 60,000 to 200,000 baht, or both. Advertising overseas recruitment services without a license carries a penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both.
The Department of Employment said it is gathering additional evidence from all victims before referring the case to police for criminal prosecution.
















