Thai police have arrested a Chinese national accused of directing a large online fraud and money-laundering network after investigators linked him to a gang using mule accounts to launder criminal proceeds through gold purchases in Bangkok.
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The Anti-Online Scam Centre (ACSC), operating under Pol Gen Thana Chuwong, deputy national police chief and director of the police anti-online scam centre, and Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, assistant national police chief and deputy director, announced the arrest on 28 May 2026. Officers said the suspect, identified only as Mr Xu, acted as a senior coordinator within a wider scammer network.
The investigation began after officers from Phlapphla Chai 2 Police Station arrested nine Thai nationals on 25 May 2026 for alleged drug use at a hotel in Bangkok’s Chinatown district. Police later discovered links between the suspects and a “mule stable” network responsible for obtaining bank accounts used for facial scans and financial transactions connected to money laundering through gold purchases.
Investigators found the group operated under instructions from a Chinese boss who controlled mule accounts used to move criminal funds. Police said some suspects had initially served as mule account holders before becoming supervisors responsible for controlling other accounts.
Further investigation identified Mr Xu as an operational commander within the scam network. Officers obtained Criminal Court arrest warrant No. 657/2569, dated 28 May 2026, accusing him of membership of a criminal association, recruiting people into a criminal gang, and arranging, advertising or facilitating the buying, selling, renting or lending of bank accounts and electronic accounts for criminal purposes.
Police arrested Mr Xu late on 28 May along Phlapphla Chai Road in Pom Prap Sattru Phai district, Bangkok. He was taken into custody for legal proceedings.
Investigators also found mule accounts linked to the network matched account IDs connected to numerous fraud complaints filed by victims. Police said the gang allegedly used several methods to deceive victims, including fake Facebook prize promotions offering free green tea before luring targets into chat groups and persuading them to transfer investment funds.
Authorities said suspects also impersonated police officers to frighten victims into transferring money or handing over assets for supposed inspections. Other schemes included fake overseas job offers requiring advance payments, fraudulent online income opportunities, and scams involving impersonation of state agencies such as electricity authorities offering meter deposit refunds before tricking victims into downloading applications that allowed criminals to control financial transactions.
Thaitabloid reported that police are continuing to expand the investigation, trace financial routes and identify links to additional online fraud cases. Authorities said efforts are under way to arrest all remaining members of the network.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 29 May 2026