Police in southern Thailand have rescued an 18-year-old from an apartment in Hat Yai after he was allegedly persuaded by a call-centre scam gang to transfer 2 million baht.
The victim, identified only as "Mr A", was found alone in a room near Central Hat Yai on Thian Chot Uthit Road on 5 August 2026. Police said the scammers had also instructed him to cut contact with his family and find a further 5 million baht.
Police locate victim after father's report
The Technology Crime Prevention and Suppression Operations Centre of Provincial Police Region 9 was alerted at 4.30pm by the teenager's father, who said his son had transferred 2 million baht and could no longer be reached.
The operation was overseen by Pol Maj Gen Wara Wechapinun, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 9, and Pol Maj Gen Marut Rueangjintana, the region's investigation commander. Pol Col Chakrawut Boonrueang, deputy investigation commander, led officers to the location.
Police first found the teenager's motorcycle outside a building in the Thian Chot Uthit Road area of Hat Yai, Songkhla. They then checked nearby apartments and daily-rental rooms before locating him.
Officers entered the apartment and found the teenager alone. At the time, he was on a video call with the alleged scammers. Police said the caller ended the conversation immediately after seeing officers on the phone screen and deleted the Line application account.
Scammers allegedly used study-abroad story
During initial questioning, the teenager told police he had received a call claiming he was linked to a case involving the registration of SIM cards for a criminal group.
He was reportedly told to prove his innocence by transferring money. The teenager then told his parents that he had received a scholarship to continue his studies overseas and needed 2 million baht.
His parents believed the explanation and transferred the money. Police said the teenager then sent it on to the scammers in four instalments of 500,000 baht, totalling 2 million baht.
After receiving the money, the scammers allegedly told him to rent a room, sever contact with his parents, relatives and friends, and obtain another 5 million baht. Police reached him before any further money was lost.
The teenager is being taken to investigators to make a formal statement, while police pursue further enquiries to identify those involved.
Picture courtesy of Komchadluek
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7 August 2026
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