Six Thai Police Officers Arrested in 300 Million Baht Fake Warrant Scam

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Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

On 31 October, Bangkok police detained seven individuals, including six officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, linked to an elaborate ฿300 million extortion scheme involving a fake search warrant and passport forgery accusations. The suspects, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanchai (41), are charged with extortion, misconduct, and abuse of power.

 

The investigation started after Sai, a Vanuatu national, and his wife, alongside a Chinese friend and their domestic helper, reported a group of men who posed as police officers and forced entry into their home in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan Province.

 

The suspects, presenting a falsified warrant, accused Sai of involvement in a passport forgery linked to four detained Filipinos. They reportedly claimed one of the detainees had named him in the scheme.

 

During the search, the suspects confiscated phones and a computer, warning Sai that hiring a foreign domestic worker without proper documentation could incur additional charges.

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

Exploiting his unfamiliarity with Thai law, they demanded ฿300 million or the equivalent in cryptocurrency to avoid prosecution. When Sai refused, they lowered the demand to ฿10 million.

 

Ultimately, Sai transferred ฿5 million in cryptocurrency across two transactions to a digital wallet controlled by a translator accompanying the group, who relayed the suspects' demands.

 

Following the extortion, Sai reported the incident, leading to an internal police investigation. On 28 October, several suspects were arrested, though two key accomplices remain at large, including the translator.

 

A special committee, led by senior officers, is now examining the case, uncovering the involvement of 12 individuals in total. As the investigation continues, the authorities aim to bring all suspects to justice, including the remaining two at large.

 

This high-profile case has drawn significant attention to law enforcement oversight in Thailand, with senior officials promising to enforce accountability and strengthen regulations to prevent similar abuses, reported Siam Rath.

 

-- 2024-11-01