Four Chinese held over Hat Yai ritual scam

Four Chinese nationals have been arrested in Songkhla after police said they tricked a 66-year-old woman into handing over gold, cash and rice for a supposed ritual to protect her child from danger.

The four suspects were detained on 9 September 2026, two days after the alleged scam at Thung Lung Market in Phatong, Hat Yai. The victim reported losses valued at 194,000 baht.

Warning of danger led to ritual

According to Thung Lung Police, the woman, identified only as Narumon, was shopping at the market at about 8am on 7 September when four people approached her.

One member of the group allegedly told her that her child was about to face danger and that a ceremony was needed to avert it. She was told to bring three items for the ritual: gold, money and rice.

The woman returned home and collected a one-baht-weight gold necklace, a two-salueng gold ring, two gold bracelets, a pair of earrings, a gold pendant depicting King Rama IX, 10,000 baht in cash and a handful of rice.

Police said the suspects then took her into a vehicle, told her to place the property in a black bag, performed chants and returned the bag to her. When she arrived home and checked it, the gold, cash and rice had gone.

Arrests and charges

Thung Lung Police, led by superintendent Pol Col Chansarawut Saeng-arun, worked with investigation officers and Songkhla Immigration Police to trace the group.

The suspects were named as Ding Jinping, Lin Xueqing, Li Jintai and Yang Tulian, all Chinese nationals. Police said they were arrested along with evidence connected to the case.

Arrest warrants numbered 596/2569 and 597/2569, dated 8 September 2026, were obtained for Ding and Lin on a charge of jointly committing fraud by exploiting the victim's mental weakness. Li and Yang were arrested under Section 78(2)(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

All four suspects confessed to the allegations during their arrest, police said. Investigators are continuing interviews and gathering evidence.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

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11 September 2026