I worked for 17 years as a diamond salesman for 13 years on West 47th Street in Manhattan. Our company specialized in diamonds, however we sold anything; watches, chains, pearls, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. We bought anything too and had a good client base since we were relatively honest.

A side deal here and there helps pay for the lights.

At least once a month the odd customer would appear at the shop with a bag of precious stones. Their story had been told by other travelers. Their eyes sparkled about getting a special deal from a jewelry shop overseas. We patiently nodded and pulled out a velvet tray. “Let’s see your treasures.”

Maybe they were lucky.

The customer would proudly pour out their investment, expecting oohs and ahs. “So what do you think it’s worth?”

Light soon faded from the genius’ face, since the stones were practically worthless.

Inevitably the customer would angrily declare that we didn’t know anything about semi-precious gems.

“Go see if you can get $1000 for the stones.”

He’d huff out and return an hour later. “Will you give me $1000.”

“No.”

“Then why you say $1000 before?”

“Just to prove to you that we do know what about gems. Sorry, but you’ve been had.”

No one wanted these stones, because the customer had been defrauded by unscrupulous dealers in Brazil, Columbia, Sri Lanka, SE Asia, Europe or the USA. Playing suckers for a ride is an international game and depends on the pigeon’s greed to grease the way for his fleecing.

Bangkok is notorious for preying on hapless tourists i.e. rubes.

The scam classically runs this way.

En route to a famed temple a taxi or tuk-tuk driver will approach a group of tourists helpfully telling them that the temple is shut for a national prayer holiday, but he knows of another Buddha nearby. “40 baht. Very close.”

Typical tout car at the walls to the Emerald Buddha.

Most tourists are unaccustomed to walking in the tropical heat.

A moment of weakness for free AC ride and they’re soon speeding to a ‘government gem expo’.

“A friend in your hometown needs them to sell. Maybe you can help us out by bringing them to him. Make twice your money.”

Greed seizes hold of the unsuspecting tourist. “Twice my money?”

“Maybe three times if you sell on your own, but my friend will give you twice for sure.” The government official even calls his friend, who tells them he will fax them at their hotel a promissory note to purchase the stones.

“Not want your money now. Only deposit.” the government official takes a 50% deposit and hands over a receipt. “Come back later for gems. One month okay. If have problem give you back all money. 90%.”

They put in writing.

Everyone is happy.

If the tourist is lucky he hears about the scam before his departure from Bangkok. If not he learns about it from someone like my jewelry store. Tears and gnashing of teeth as the dream of twice their money evaporates like a water on an Isaan plateau in summer.

Any arrests ever for this?

No.

If the tourist shows up with the tourist police demanding money, then the dealers refund 90% as agreed. Instant profit.

Before you drop a few thousand onto the deal of a lifetime, google the name of the shop or gem scams Bangkok. The names change of these stores, so better to obey the old adage.

Anything that sounds too good to be true usually is too good to be true.