Chinese man held in Chiang Mai over 238m baht money laundering

Thai police have arrested Chinese national Wei Huang, also known as Ah Wei, in Chiang Mai over an alleged cryptocurrency money-laundering trail worth more than 238 million baht.

The Central Investigation Bureau and Anti-Online Scam Centre announced the arrest on September 16 under their Highway Scam Hunter operation. Police said Wei was detained at a residence in Chiang Mai.

Wei has been charged with jointly laundering money and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Alleged cryptocurrency laundering route

Investigators allege that Wei supplied the cryptocurrency USDT to a laundering network connected to another Chinese suspect known as Ah Tao.

According to police, money taken from scam victims was moved through several mule accounts before reaching Wei, who allegedly provided digital currency in return.

Wallets associated with Wei recorded turnover of more than 7.2 million USDT, which police put at roughly 238 million baht. The transactions have been linked to at least 16 online fraud cases.

Officers froze 1,047,999 baht held in a bank account during the arrest and seized 181,000 baht in cash, a Ford Ranger Raptor and an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch. The assets have been referred to the Anti-Money Laundering Office for further investigation.

Inquiry background

The inquiry grew from a case involving a retired civil servant who lost more than 1.4 million baht to scammers. Police said their work then uncovered a broader structure involving call-centre operators and a separate laundering network.

Funds were allegedly moved through cash withdrawals, gold purchases and mule accounts in Poipet, Cambodia, before being converted into USDT and sent back to scam groups.

Previous phases of the operation identified several other suspects, including two Chinese nationals and a Cambodian police officer who are wanted over alleged links to the network.

Police said the wider Highway Scam Hunter investigation has brought legal action against 26 suspects and involves alleged losses exceeding 4 billion baht.

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

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18 September 2026