A monk from Wat Phetcharoen in Uthai Thani province filed a report at Lan Sak Police Station after scammers impersonated his Facebook account to message devotees requesting donations. He warned villagers not to be fooled, revealing that most monks frequently encounter such scams.
At 5:00 p.m. on 5 September 2026, a reporter met Phra Pitiphat Jaipho, also known as Phra Nueng, aged 46, who had come to Lan Sak Police Station in Uthai Thani to file a report with Sub-Lieutenant Chanchai Noonpong, deputy investigator, requesting an investigation after scammers impersonated his Facebook account to solicit donations from devotees via chat.
Phra Pitiphat then took the reporter to Wat Phetcharoen in Ban Phetcharoen, Village No. 5, Rabam Subdistrict, Lan Sak District, Uthai Thani, and revealed that he had moved to this temple just over three months ago. He said a similar incident occurred last year, but after reporting it, the scammers closed the fake Facebook account, seemingly aware they were caught. This time, he realized the impersonation only after someone contacted him, prompting him to inform them that his Facebook had been impersonated again.
The scammers typically request two prepaid cards worth 1,000 baht each via chat, always with identical messages. He does not know who is behind it, but many monks commonly face such scams. Some villagers were confused but have been warned, and some have already purchased and sent the prepaid cards to the scammers. Phra Pitiphat has posted warnings on his Facebook and the village Line group to alert locals that it is not him. He believes the scammers’ sole intent is financial gain.
Meanwhile, Mr. Channarong Wisit, the village headman of Village No. 5, Rabam Subdistrict, Lan Sak District, Uthai Thani, said that after a morning merit-making ceremony, Phra Nueng messaged him to report that someone had created a new Facebook account using his name and photo. He advised Phra Nueng to capture screenshots and post that the accounts were fake. Then, he accompanied Phra Nueng to file a police report to confirm his innocence and to have authorities investigate the offenders.
Phra Nueng also spoke to devotees who had received the scam messages to clarify that it was not him sending those chats. All scam messages sent to devotees were identical. Having lived together with Phra Nueng, no one had ever seen him solicit donations or money. Phra Nueng has been staying at Wat Phetcharoen since April and has never exhibited behavior like that of the scammers.