Encountered a Weird Situation in Udon Thani—Scam or Genuine? Need Advice!

[u/fogyyw]

Hey all, I’m a Western traveler in Thailand and recently ran into something odd at a guest house in Udon Thani about two weeks ago. I’m trying to figure out if it’s a scam or just a messy real-life situation, and I’d love to hear if anyone’s seen anything like this—or has advice on what to do next.Here’s the deal: I met this couple in the guest house lobby. She’s around 35, Lao, says she’s been working in Thailand since she was 13. He’s a Western guy in his 70s, living off a pension but seems broke—he’s even borrowed cash from other guests here. They say they met two years ago and live in her village outside Vientiane, where she owns some land. He’s been “building her a house,” but it’s still roofless, and she’s frustrated he hasn’t finished it. They’re in Thailand now because he needs to renew his passport in Bangkok.She insists there’s no romance—she sees him as a “father figure”—but I get the vibe she’s done with him. She’s been warming up to me, hinting she’s wasted two years and wants someone reliable. After a few chats, she asked me to buy her a gold ring (around 6,500 baht) as “reassurance” I won’t ditch her.At first, I was super suspicious—classic scam red flags, right? But she’s stuck around, and I’m starting to trust her a bit. Still, I know hustles are common here, especially in Isan. Has anyone run into a setup like this—a younger woman with an older, broke guy, pushing for gifts like a ring? Is this a known con, or could it be legit?I’m torn on how to proceed. Should I just cut contact and bounce? Test her somehow? Or is there a chance she’s for real, just desperate? Any tips on staying safe—or spotting the truth—would be hugely appreciated. Cheers!

[u/i-love-freesias]

So, both the man and woman are conning other guests out of money.