“I’m flying with the eagles,” says Australian con man,” but after landing at Bangkok airport he is in police lock-up.
From Andrew Drummond, Bangkok, September 17th
Lance Shaw's passport
An Australian con-man working with impunity out of Pattaya has been arrested by police, who were about to be criticised by tourists for their inaction, in the television documentary series ‘Big Trouble in Thailand’.
Immigration Police arrested 64-yr-old Lance Frederick Shaw when he arrived back in Thailand early on Tuesday morning on a flight TG996 from Australia.
Shaw, who had allegedly conned people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in a gold investment scam and who has a history of fraud in Australia dating back over 25 years, had boasted to an angry British investor: “”Greed is good! There is no police or lawyers that money can’t buy,” according to the Bangkok Post.
He also wrote: “Investments are risky things, you know. I have enough money to last me two lifetimes and with it I can go where I want when I want and fly with the eagles.”
Furious British investors were filmed making their complaint nearly two years ago, when a pilot programme was made for the series ‘Big Trouble in Thailand.” A warrant for his arrest was issued in July 2008. But Shaw had been happily living house number 670/70 in the Rama Gardens estate in Pattaya Naklua. Investors told the Bangkok Post that although they had paid police 10,000 baht they believed the inaction was because Shaw had connections with police.
When they were contacted nearer the transmission date an angry investor Philip Shields, from Liverpool, who gave Shaw 5,841, 593 (£105,000) said: “The Thai police have done absolutely nothing. Neither have our Thai lawyers.” In the documentary an angry victim is seen banging on Shaw’s gate and ringing the bell - to no answer - without any assistance from Pattaya Police. Pattaya Court issued a warrant of arrest for Shaw 14 months ago.
It is believed a rough copy of the third programme in the series ‘Big Trouble in Thailand’ was shown to senior police in Pattaya prior to the arrest passed on by a Pattaya Police Volunteer. But an expose by Erika Fry in the Bangkok Post over a month ago may also have been noticed.
The investors, say they will be watching the development of this case with interest. Meanwhile Shaw has been charged with defrauding Philip Shields, from Liverpool.The programme, the third in an eight part series made by Vera for the Bravo Channel goes out next Monday and is being edited to include the arrest.
Gold fever sinks a posse of investors - Erika Fry Bangkok Post
Soar like an eagle, fall like seagull shit!
First JJ, now Lance. Seems like rather than wasting time and money going to the Thai police and media, people who have been ripped off should just commission a short TV programme about it for transmission in the UK. You probably wouldn’t need to have it transmitted, just show it to the police and say it will be going out next month.
Andrew - from Farang speaks 2 much forum … my responses fyi …
Scott
September 17, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Gavin,
Why didn’t you get a permit to film the sequences for British TV?
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Gavin Hill
September 18, 2009 at 3:56 am
Scott – we had all permits necessary to film, to the best of my knowledge. The Thais aren’t daft – they don’t allow you into seven jails over a four month period fully escorted, including Bangkok Central Prison, to film conditions and interview inmates if your paperwork isn’t in order. I’ve had my photo taken with the Directors of most of the Thai prisons I visited and have lunched with them. Some very nice people indeed work in the Thai Prison Service and it was something of a pleasure as well as a unique opportunity to venture ‘inside’. So, we weren’t exactly under the radar. I was invited to address a meeting of the Thai Tourist Police top brass in Bangkok to brief them on our project in late May before being given the go-ahead. We have interviewed the Chief of the Thai Tourist Police at least twice, attended nearly all of their recent training exercises and GPS launches up and down the country, and were given the fullest of co-operation – again for which I am very grateful. We followed the movements of the Tourist Police Volunteers over four months, and filmed the Thai police regulars (all varieties) on patrol, carrying out stop and searches, making arrests and practicing on the shooting range etc etc. We secured the necessary letters of authorisation on each and every occasion in order for filming to take place legitimately and obtained signed release forms from all the authorities concerned. We have not exactly been inconspicuous and we have around 2,000 production stills of us in action doing exactly what we pledged we would in order to be granted the incredible and privileged access we were – that is to promote the excellent work of the Thai police and their foreign helpers by profiling their efforts to extend every courtesy and offer assistance to people who very wisely choose Thailand as their holiday destination. I hope this answers your question.
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Scott
September 18, 2009 at 6:09 am
Gavin,
Thanks for your response however it clearly states in the rules and regulations for foreign production shoots that a representative of the Film Board accompany every shoot that takes place, your production did not have one becasue no request to shoot in Thailand was ever filed (according to the Thailand Film Board at yesterday’s press conference. The story, as I understand it, is your Thai “fixer” tried to pass the shoot off as a domestic shoot, not requiring the permits for a foreign production shoot (which you already have admitted it was).
So this whole hullabaloo should not be over content of production (we all know negative situations that exist here – and in all other countries of the world) but over legality of shoot in the first place.
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JJ
September 18, 2009 at 8:29 am
The journalists are the real problem. They don’t understand Thailand………
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Naki
September 18, 2009 at 9:26 am
@Scott: In my experience in working in Asian countries where there is a high level of corruption, if one brings up the argument of “but the law says” to a local, then the local will likely look at you like you just stepped off the bus from Mars. I recall a study done at one time that showed that corrupt countries in fact have about 3 times more laws on the books (and officially ‘current’) than less corrupt countries. The reason is so that a government figure can pull out some antiquated unenforced law to back them up when the shit hits the fan – as exactly what has happened in this case.
In reality the law is no protection in countries with corruption (try bringing in a shipment of household effects without paying duty to experience the full fun of law ambiguity). The only effective protection is relationship (or a hellavu lot of cash).
One may believe that they have set up a business venture following the full letter of the law, but if you piss off someone high ranking then you’ll quickly find out that there is some “law” or “rule” that you have been flaunting. And the argument that no one else has been following it either doesn’t stand, ’cause that is not the real issue.
Bend over and think of Mother England….
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Gavin Hill
September 18, 2009 at 11:30 am
Scott – you obviously don’t have experience of filming in Thailand, nor Thailand itself it would appear.
From the Bangkok Post today: (I rest my case).
“Sasisupa Sungvaribud, president of the Film Production Services Association, said the recordings took the form of a reality show and the events depicted were obviously staged and scripts written for the film.”
Actually, before I rest my case I refute absolutely – once more, yawn – any allegation the events depicted were obviously staged and scripts written for the film.
One only has to – albeit laboriously – watch the raw footage of events uploaded to You Tube and draw their own conclusions. Or spend a few days in Patong or Chaweng with the Tourist Police like we did, with their full authorisation and co-operation – in fact the Chief of the Thai Tourist Police was interviewed by me – not a Thai – AND IN ENGLISH which he speaks fluently with my Scottish AP present and the Executive Producer jet-lagged from Clapham, London looking on. The Chief of the Thai Tourist Police even asked my AP’s parents, who are (were??) due to visit Thailand, to call him when they landed. We all got on like a house on fire.
I’m bored of the smokescreen of was it faked, or wasn’t it.
I despair where all this is going because, as I have previously said, we went out of our way to promote the image of the police in Thailand. Read into that what you will, for now.
I’ll leave it there, but I won’t be called a liar – and when you Scott come to know Thailand as well as I do you’ll agree with me that making false allegations is not only defamatory but not the Thai way.
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Gavin Hill
September 18, 2009 at 11:31 am
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/153006/pm-thailand-to-be-asean-industrial-hub
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Another one bites the dust.
I was the person that lance sent the email to, boasting about taking my money, this man took £40,000 off me and I am now happy to see him finally where he belongs, rotting on the floor of a thai police cell, long may it continue, well done phillip shieldsXX
Clair: I don’t need to remind you that this case needs monitoring. Philip shd discuss the option of bringing a joint prosecution. If the man has assets he can recover thru the civil court.
(But I suspects the assets are soaring with the eagles somewhere)
phillip is already bringing a prosecution, but I don’t think he actually has any money left, he has a bank account that has been frozen in spain and and we are trying to recover the money that is in it, but I don’t hold out much hope, the spanish system is full of beurocracy. This man not only stole my money but he also taunted me for two years so I am really thrilled that he has finally been apprehended and even if I don’t get my money back then at least he hasn’t got away with destroying peoples lives. The damage he has caused to people is horrific!! My marriage nearly fell apart, my children were thrown out of school because we could not pay the school fees, we were living in spain and had to come home because we couldn’t pay our rent. My career is in tatters due to my now poor credit record and all throughout this he was emailing me and blaming me for my situation. If anyone reading this would like to contact me I will forward the emails to you and you can see for yourself how evil this man really isXX
Although scams like this are deplorable, the investors in such activities are not that clean as well. Maybe it was greed that motivated some as the promised rate of return (120-140% per annum)was well above what safe investments paid. Or maybe it was an opportunity to make large profits without the need to pay tax on the proceeds. I have no sympathy for many of these victims. They didn’t want to know how the large returns were going to be obtained did they? They didn’t question the initial payouts that they received, did they? Did they pay taxes on that investment income? Are they willing to return the monies they received as they are proceeds of crime. I doubt anyone will return the money. No, sorry, no sympathy. Yes, Mr. Shaw should go to jail, but some of his “victims” have to accept responsibility for their own behaviour as well.
maybee ryan should mind his own business , is he a spineless person who hasnt got the guts to make a risky investment ? or is he someone who hasnt got the money to ? , how can ryan say things like he has no sympathy for investers when they were plain an simply ripped off , conned out of their own money ? maybee if ryan had the money to invest he might have a different opinion.
do everyone involved a favour ryan & keep your silly opinions to yourself.
Looks like the Thai authorities went after him only after his scam damaged Thailand’s image.
I am thrilled this conn-pedo man has been arrested now!!!!!!
he also ripped me and my family off….i hope he rots in hell…
Ryan has a reasonable point.
I’m sick of idiots getting ripped off by OBVIOUS criminals because they’re too stupid to actually research what they’re buying.
If you’re dumb enough or greedy enough to trust some Aussie Pattaya cowboy, then more fool you I say.
I wouldn’t trust a financial advisor or an estate agent in Pattaya any further than I could kick their rotting cadavers.
Why do people always demand sympathy for having no common sense whatsoever?
I would like to correct ryan on various points, he obviously doesn’t have a clue or he’s a friend of Lance shaw, maybe its actually him, do they have internet access in thai prisons? firstly panama is a tax haven so any money earned is legitimately tax free, however, nobody actually earned anything at all, the people who claimed to earn anything were in on the scam. Secondly you presume that anyone who invested is a criminal, well I will dispute that as my money came from the proceeds from the sale of my property after tax!!! as did many of the other victims. Lance shaw would have been happy with black or dirty money because criminals couldn’t make too many compaints about being ripped off could they???
Now as for us being idiots, would you call the victim of a peadophile an idiot!! because Lance used the same tactics as them, it’s called GROOMING!! and that is what he did to one of the victims of this.
And now to harry Barracuda ( interesting name!!) firstly Lance shaw was not an obvious criminal, he is in fact a prolific can man who used very clever and cunning tactics. Secondly, we do not want yours or anyone elses sympathy, we would just like our hard earned money back.
And to answer you both regarding greed, have either of you never done the lottery, because if you have then are you not being greedy for wanting millions of dollars!!!
Less malicious posts please
There are a lot more parts to this case that have far more sinister and serious implications that will come out before this saga is over!!!… The banking trail leads to North Cyprus and onto Dubai, then to Singapore and Malaysia. Politicians *(may) be involved???
This was the Ponzi Scam that the whole world is watching now. Berni Madoff got 150 years for doing the same thing. So the Thai system has to do the same or it will be seen to be corrupt. Thailand has to recover an image of prosecuting criminals like this Lance bloke. If you can’t do the Time don’t do the Crime!… I was under the impression that criminals shouldn’t boast about their reach in foreign systems. This case has been too well publisized and the friends he has trying to corrupt the case should be exposed as well. Corruption Stinks and hurts the citizens. Why hasn’t Pattaya People Newspaper or the local news on the TV done anything at all.Sounds like they have something to hide…
Then the Thai Police just let him go… WHAT ???
It now seems the thai justice system has revelealed itself for exactly what it is, CORRUPT. Lance Shaw has been released on a 5 million baht “bail” 16 days ago and was supposed to attend court as part of his bail conditions yesterday and, surprise, surprise, he didnt show up for the court appearance. The authourities have told everyone involved that this case would be transparent and we would all see that the Thai legal system is fair for all, we have certainly seen that this week after finding out that they have released him! Everyone in the justice system, top prosecutor, top police officers and everyone below them said that they would not give Lance Shaw bail as the case and figures involved were too big yet, on the sly they release shaw and dont inform anyone of this release.
so lance has been released,tell me that this does not stink,
the thai authourities only prove by this action that they are self serving,losing face, but no names involved so no harm done? this is thailand live here , take advatage of the many wonderfull things it has to offer ,but dont get involved in the system it will not work for you!!!
I think you will all find that this guy has been bailed from Thailand jail and has gone missing again, yes you heard right he’s got bail, looks like money talks hay
This man worked his con on the Gold coast for three years before going over to Thailand. He has two passports that I know of. One is in a Moslem name. You won’t see or hear from him again. As he said to me once when I asked where my money was “Money all gone”
thailand has always been known as a hideaway for the big conman.If anyone was going to invest a very large some of money in thailand they must do there homework on the person or company involved .Its so easy to fall for the trap when these conmen sweettalk you into believing them.I read a book about a big con in thailand called welcome to hell by colin martin.He was conned out of £500.000 and got jailed in thailand for a murder he did not commit.he was offered to pay his way out by the dodgy thai police but could not so he did 8 yrs.the whole country is corrupt,money is deffinately the route off all evil in thailand.
Interesting. I did the original story about Colim Martin and supplied the pictures for his book, though one of two carry Andrew Chant’s name.
As others have stated i have no sympathy for greedy people wanting massive returns. I mean come on, get in the real world. Even a first
time traveller to Thailand gets warned about these scams in the Lonely Planet for gods sake. We all know most Asian countries have massive corruption problems. It’s just that you can see it on the surface of their society unlike in the west where it’s nicely well hidden until people(mostly politicians) get caught. Yes, Shaw should be banged up, he is a low life but it’s no excuse for peoples stupidty and greed.
Andrew Drummond I think you have missed the point here. This is a foreigner cheating other foreigners. Thailand has little to do with it apart from the fact that because it is corrupt police can be paid off.
“Thailand as little to do with it” Mmmmmmm so this crime was not committed in Thailand? The Thai authorities clamped down hard as soon as they knew about the scam? Come on mate! Oh, and that JJ character from Phuket is a Monk.
Andrew Drummond: You seem confused. This is a story about Lance Shaw.
Money is the only thing that matters in Thailand. The whole system is totally corrupt. News agencies should warn Europeans and Americans to stay away from this country until the police have been sorted out. The Police are totally corrupt. The ordinary Thais are nice but the corruption is stinking. You can easily be set up. A friend of mine who never used drugs was ransacked and they found 2 g of hash in his appartment. He got 2 years prison and 2 million Baht fine. Insane society !!! Wake up Europeans you’re being conned by the Thai Police.
LOL, i was referencing and being sarcastic about JJ, never mind, forums are’nt the best place for subtle humour.
Andrew Drummond:The reference to JJ was a little obscure. The offences committed by Shaw had nothing to do with Thailand. The fact that he was not pursued by the authorities has of course everything to do with Thailand, so of course Thailand, like the Philippines etc was an ideal location to commit these frauds from. See boiler rooms.
Having spent quite some time on and off and have friends who do business there ( property development ) corruption in Thailand is every where, money number one ! you can get what you want by bribing every one from goverment officials to police and not just the guys on the street, and the problem is if you try and expose this unless you have friends in high places you can be in physical danger of reprisals from the corrupt Thais, they dont like there little money making scams being disturbed ! You only have to look at the suicide rate in places like pattaya, the number of deaths by jumping off of tall buildings is shocking and they are always reported as “suicides” and very little real invertigation is done, if you think I am making this up check the local news ever week and you will see for your self, and guess what, there are never any witnesses ! If you look at what Thai police get paid then look at the houses they live in and the cars many drive the numbers just dont add up, I have lost count of the number of times I have been in a taxi and gone past the police and the driver turns and says Mafia while pointing at the police ! The whole country is corrupt and that is why there is so much unrest there at the moment because many people there are fed up of the corupt political situation.