Another arrest in fraud case involving gang who tricked Songkhla monk out of 140,000 baht

[webfact]

Picture: Daily News

 

Thailand's cyber police announced the arrest of a Thai woman named as Phisamai, 45, from Roi-Et, mixed up in a call center gang's fraud of a monk in Songkhla in southern Thailand. 

 

She opened an account that was used by the gang. She was arrested in Soi Charoen Krung 109 in Bangkok.

 

Earlier a man called Suchart, 44, was arrested at Pahonyothin police station, reported Daily News. 

 

The monk named as Phra Kornwich Watchirayano from a Hat Yai temple was conned into believing that he was wanted by the authorities for money laundering because of a suspect package intercepted by authorities. 

 

People posed as officials at a transport company and someone with police connections to get 140,000 baht out of the monk.

 

He transferred the money to the gang then through a network of accounts to hide its provenance it wound up in an account opened by Phisamai. 

 

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[olfu]

My understanding of Buddhism monks not suppose to have money or involved in public life.

[Tarteso]

Buddhism these days…????

[lopburi3]

1 hour ago, olfu said:

My understanding of Buddhism monks not suppose to have money or involved in public life.

It was likely money from family - this is a variation on a very common and old scam here - wanted by police but money can make it go away.  Only requires most basic bio data (which is all too easily obtained here) to make a story that is often believed, even by those with no such involvement.  In most cases not real police involved but they are tarred and people become even more paranoid.  

[Pique Dard]

how this monk could  have so much money? was he selling the food he had received from donors?

[OneeyedJohn]

Well they are out begging 8 days a week, in my village at least.

 

I heard a cracker last week on the buddha day I said to my wife there were a lot of people all in white at the wat, and she said, oh yeah, big buddha day u have to take a bag of rice and if u can't do that u must give 150 baht, I was astonished.

So now they have put a price on making merit.

 

 

Edited January 20, 2022 by OneeyedJohn

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

People posed as officials at a transport company and someone with police connections to get 140,000 baht out of the monk.

Hmmmm