Cyber Police Arrest Three in Chinese Scam Probe

Thai Cyber Police have arrested three more suspects as part of an investigation into a Chinese scam network accused of coercing a 19-year-old university student into breaking open his mother’s safe and handing over assets worth more than 6.8 million baht. The latest arrests form part of an expanded money laundering investigation that has led to the seizure of assets valued at more than 11 million baht. GeographicReference

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The arrests were announced on 13 July at the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau Division 2 headquarters by Pol Lt Gen Surapol Prembut, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, alongside senior officers. The three suspects were identified as Zheng Likul, who allegedly exchanged cash for digital assets, Suda, who allegedly carried out the same role, and Housi Zhou, who is accused of transferring 218,350 USDT to Zheng Likul.

The case began on 19 November 2025 when the 19-year-old student was targeted by scammers posing as government officials. The gang allegedly sent forged documents and threatened him with legal action before instructing him to isolate himself in his room while remaining on a continuous video call.

Under the scammers’ instructions, the student transferred money and removed valuables belonging to his mother from a safe. The items included more than 50 baht weight of gold bars, gold necklaces, diamond jewellery, gold-framed Buddhist amulets and other valuables, which he placed at designated locations for collection. The total reported loss exceeded 6.8 million baht.

Investigators from Cyber Crime Investigation Division 2 reviewed CCTV footage and gathered evidence showing the group operated through a structured network with separate roles for making fraudulent calls, collecting property, transporting valuables, selling assets and converting cash into cryptocurrency to conceal its origin. The stolen gold was reportedly sold in several locations before the proceeds were converted into USDT.

On 22 November 2025, police arrested 31-year-old Chinese national Qin Hao while collecting property near rubbish bins behind a company in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi. The investigation later resulted in arrest warrants for Huang Jiyi, accused of driving and selling the stolen gold, and Zhang Haiqing, accused of directing the operation and managing the assets.

Police recovered part of the stolen property, including gold bars and melted gold worth about 3.5 million baht, two vehicles and mobile phones. Investigators also traced photographs of cash and transfers totalling 218,350 USDT, worth more than 7.2 million baht, linking the operation to an alleged money laundering network.

On 19 May 2026, Zheng Likul and Suda were questioned after CCTV footage allegedly showed Housi Zhou removing bundles of cash from a house in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani. Both denied involvement, but investigators said the evidence warranted further action.

Search warrants executed on 16 and 17 June 2026 at two properties in Mueang Pathum Thani uncovered two mobile phones, approximately 100 kilograms of silver-coloured metal resembling pure silver, 3.8 million baht in cash and a Mercedes-Benz S500e. Following analysis of the financial trail, warrants were issued for Zheng Likul and Suda on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Thaitabloid reported that police have now arrested all three additional suspects and transferred them to investigators for legal proceedings. Authorities said four key suspects have been arrested so far, including three Chinese nationals and one Thai national, while several additional arrest warrants have been issued as officers continue to expand the investigation into the remaining members of the network. GeographicReference

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14 July 2026