Israeli Influencer Romi Abergel Trapped in Legal Trouble in Thailand Over Sham Company Scheme

Romi Abergel, a 24-year-old Israeli social media star, remains stranded in Thailand after being arrested in April during a crackdown on a network of over 500 shell companies. Initially suspected of using a company registered as a makeup and nail art business to disguise content sales on OnlyFans, new details reveal she was allegedly duped by an Israeli man operating in Bangkok. According to Tomer Graur, a Bangkok resident familiar with the case, the man advised Abergel to create a cosmetics company using photos of a Thai makeup artist, fully aware these images would later serve as evidence against her in government investigations. Abergel reportedly paid him tens of thousands of shekels before authorities raided the operation, where they found a makeshift office with inactive computers and signs for more than 100 companies intended to mislead regulators.

Graur explained this was a recurring scam, with the suspect and his wife previously defrauding other Israelis by selling fictitious assets. After Abergel underwent surgery in Turkey, the man pressured her to travel to his office in Thailand to pay him. Following her arrest in Bangkok, she was transferred to a police station in Krabi province, where the investigation continues. Abergel’s passport was confiscated, preventing her from leaving Thailand until her trial. She faces a potential fine of approximately 100,000 shekels, alongside significant legal and travel expenses.

Close associates of Abergel emphasized that she trusted Israelis she should not have, falling victim to a deceitful scheme. They warned others to thoroughly verify any relocation arrangements, even those supported by accountants or agents, to avoid similar predicaments. The case highlights the risks foreign nationals face when engaging in business activities in Thailand, where foreigners are strictly prohibited from certain professions. Abergel now awaits a verdict that could have serious consequences for her future in the country.