The Thai Navy SEALs will take legal action against a man who allegedly posed as a navy officer on Facebook and went as far to claim that he took part in the dramatic Thailand Cave Rescue to flirt with women.
Nice try, buddy but this catfish is about to get reeled in.
Yesterday, Naval Special Warfare Command’s Chief of Staff, Capt. Anan Suranaree, filed a report against the fake SEAL officer, who is actually a security guard named Kittisak Namuangrak.
Kittisak used two Facebook accounts translated to “Royal Thai Navy Early Division” and “Warlord Deathbreaker” to fabricate an elaborate story of heroism and bravery in attempts to impress his conquests, reported Khaosod.
Obviously, subtlety is not his strong suit.
The case first caught the public’s attention last Wednesday, when a Facebook page self-identifying as a “special unit” dedicated to busting fake military personnels and police officers on the social media network, caught Kittisak in their crosshairs.
“He is an ex-private [the most junior rank in the armed forces], but he likes to claim that he’s a SEAL,” explained in a caption along with multiple screenshots from Kittisak’s Facebook profile depicting his deception.
Along with pictures from his former military days, the page alleges that Kittisak photoshopped himself into a military dress uniform as well as shared photos from the Luang Cave rescue operation as his own.
In his posts, Kittisak claims that he “only dates doctors and teachers” adding selfies with his alleged ex-girlfriends as proof.
!['Wearing the country's stripes means you’re willing to sacrifice everything, right? Whatever they [the Navy] tells you to do, whoever they want you to be, you do it all. No questions asked. Hooyah!' Kittisak wrote. Of course, he had to include “Hooyah!” the famous Thai SEALs catchphrase.](https://cdn.coconuts.co/coconuts/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/42523220_2427043240655592_2555435180965756928_n.jpg)
An investigation revealed that Kittisak is currently working as a security guard.
Anan added that the Navy is seeking the maximum penalty for Kittisak’s fraud as it has resulted in the defamation of the Navy SEALs.
He said he wants to make an example out of Kittisak to ensure that no copycats follow suit. Police are obtaining a warrant for his arrest.
If, after interrogation, Kittisak is found guilty of posting false information online, he could be jailed up to five years and/or fined up to THB100,000 (about US$3,000) under the country’s Computer Crime laws.
