Metropolitan Police in Bangkok have arrested three Chinese nationals linked to a transnational call centre gang accused of defrauding a 65-year-old Thai woman of more than 34 million baht. The suspects were apprehended on April 17 following a sting operation, after allegedly demanding an additional 5 million baht from the victim. Authorities say the case highlights the scale and organisation of cross-border scam networks operating in Thailand.
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The arrests were carried out by officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division 3, alongside teams from Thung Maha Mek and Don Mueang police stations. One suspect was detained near the entrance of Soi Suan Plu in Sathorn district, while two accomplices were later arrested at a hotel on Song Prapha Road in Don Mueang district. The suspects, identified as Mr Yan, 43, Mr Guo Zhong, 40 and Mr Jin Mei, 47, all face charges of conspiracy to defraud the public, organised crime and money laundering.
The case began when the victim filed a complaint at Thung Maha Mek police station after being deceived by scammers posing as officials. They falsely claimed her national ID card had been used to register a phone number linked to a drug trafficking network and pressured her into cooperating. The gang instructed her to communicate via LINE, sending fake official documents to reinforce their claims.
Fearing legal consequences, the victim transferred money multiple times and even delivered cash at various locations. In total, she lost 34,721,485 baht. When the scammers later demanded an additional 5 million baht, she became suspicious and contacted police, prompting the sting operation that led to the arrests.
Authorities reported that the gang operated with a structured division of roles, including fraud execution, payment collection, and asset management. Investigators found that the proceeds were converted into other currencies or cryptocurrencies to conceal their origin. Cash and several mobile phones used in the operation were seized as evidence.
Police have warned the public to remain vigilant against scams involving impersonation of government officials. They emphasised that no legitimate agency requests money transfers or cash handovers for verification purposes.
The ThaiNewsRoom reported that officials are continuing to expand the investigation to identify and apprehend other members of the network, which is believed to be extensive. Further legal proceedings will take place at Thung Maha Mek police station, while efforts to dismantle the wider syndicate are ongoing.
Picture courtesy of TNR
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thainewsroom 19 Apr 2026