When most people hear “dating scam,” they immediately think of shady online profiles and catfishing. But in Thailand, not all dating scams happen behind a screen. In fact, many of the most common scams occur in face-to-face interactions, especially involving foreigners who are unfamiliar with the cultural landscape.
So how do you protect yourself if you’re dating in Thailand—or thinking about starting? What warning signs should you watch for, even when things seem genuine?
This guide dives into the most common types of offline Thai dating scams you may encounter in 2025. From gold diggers and family pressure schemes to staged emergencies and bar girl traps, we’ll walk you through the red flags and help you spot manipulation before it gets expensive—emotionally or financially.
Whether you’re planning a romantic trip to Thailand or currently seeing someone local, this article will give you the practical tips and insights needed to date smart, stay safe, and build something real.
Reasons Why You Can Trust Krystyna
- Faithfully reviewed over 500 International online dating and matchmaking services
- A highly experienced International dating expert since 2010
- Master of Language and Cultural Studies / Goethe University Frankfurt
- Author of dating ebooks, including ‘International Dating Digest For Men: Finding Love Overseas’.
- She has contributed in many publications including Notsalmon.com, Marriage.com, or Medium.com.
The Most Common Types of Thai offline dating scams
The following are some of the most common Thai dating scams you may want to look out for in conventional dating;
Professional or pro-daters
Pro-daters, or professional daters, are women and men who are constantly initiating new relationships with no intention of getting seriously involved. This means that marriage or committed relationships are not in their mind.
Men do this to score with girls and have as much fun as they can before finally settling down. On the other hand, women do this to have fun or score rich men and exploit their wealth and status.
Pro-dating is considered a dating scam because the individuals often lead on the people they are dating and take advantage of them.
This scam is particularly common in Thailand among young daters whose intentions for dating are not pure. Note that the professional dating scam is present in both online and conventional dating.
Scam dating agencies
Dating agencies, also often known as marriage bureaus or marriage agencies, are businesses that provide matchmaking services to potential romantic partners.
They initially started as genuine businesses to help people meet their long-term partners. However, in Thailand, many people have started using dating agencies to scam people out of their money.
This means that the agencies have become more of a business to make money than an initiative to help people build lasting relationships.
Thai scam dating agencies often dupe their clients into believing that they will help them find a match for potential long-term relationships. However, the matches are usually part of the scam.
They are used to lure the clients into letting their guard down and giving up a lot of money in the process. Therefore, you should be extremely careful when looking into dating agencies in Thailand and other places
Marriage for green card scams
The marriage scam is also quite prevalent in Thailand. Here, Thai women will primarily meet and have relationships with foreigners for the green card.
The individuals will play nice and develop strong relationships with their target to get married. However, once they get the ring and sign the marriage certificate, they start working out the details of getting their green card.
More often than not, once the green card is approved, these women will ask for a divorce and leave their partners in total despair. Note that men also do this.
Also, this is mostly done to tourists and visiting foreigners, especially those from Western countries. Scammers using this trick usually take several weeks to achieve their agenda.
What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed in Bangkok
Getting scammed in Bangkok can be frustrating, embarrassing—and costly. But don’t panic. If you act quickly, you can reduce the damage and protect yourself from further trouble.
Start by reporting the scam immediately. Call the Tourist Police at their 24/7 toll-free number: 1155. They’re used to handling situations involving foreigners and can guide you through the next steps. If it happened at a business (like a bar or taxi), note the location and names involved—anything that can help with the report.
If you shared any personal or financial details, act fast. Contact your bank, freeze your credit cards, and monitor your credit for suspicious activity. In some cases, it’s a smart move to request a freeze on your credit report altogether to stop scammers from opening accounts in your name.
Lastly, don’t just walk away from the experience. Report the incident online, share your story in expat or travel forums, and help others avoid the same trap. A scam may sting, but it doesn’t have to define your trip—or your trust in the culture.
Last Updated & Reviewed: May 08, 2025
Welcome to Asian Dating Journal – Your Trusted Guide to International Dating
Hi, I’m Krystyna – dating blogger and coach, specializing in international relationships, romance scams, and cross-cultural connections.
At Asian Dating Journal, my mission is to support Western men on their journey to finding meaningful relationships with Asian and foreign women. Through practical guides and honest insights, I share real-life experiences and proven strategies to help you navigate the world of international dating with confidence and clarity.
You’re not alone—I’m here to help every step of the way.
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