DSI Nabs Nigerian Crime Ring Leader in 50M Baht Horse Account Scam

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

In a significant crackdown, Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) arrested a Nigerian national believed to be a central figure in a major fraud network involving horse accounts across the country, causing damages estimated at over 50 million baht.

 

The operation, dubbed "Operation Black Horse Down," targeted a gang combining Thai and Nigerian nationals who orchestrated romance scams and opened horse accounts nationwide for various criminal activities.

 

This network has been linked to call centre scams, romance fraud, and drug-related offences, with an estimated 1,200 million baht in transactions and over 1,000 horse accounts involved.

Following a criminal court warrant for eight suspects, on 8 October 2024, the DSI joined forces with Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) and forensic agencies to raid five locations.

 

Six suspects, including Nigerian and Thai nationals, were detained in connection with these fraudulent activities.

 

On 13 November 2024, DSI investigators expanded their inquiry and discovered that Mr. Christian (surname withheld), a Nigerian national and the alleged leader of the network, was detained by the Bureau of Immigration Police.

 

Acting on the court warrant, the DSI charged him with fraud, including impersonation, computer fraud, and money laundering.

 

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

As the investigation continues, DSI is collaborating with AMLO to trace the financial routes and seize related assets linked to the network. Preliminary findings suggest additional accomplices, both Thai and foreign nationals, are still at large.

 

The DSI also issued a public warning about the severe legal consequences of opening horse accounts, which can lead to criminal charges. Under Thailand’s new Cybercrime Act of 2023, individuals aiding fraud operations may face up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 300,000 baht, or both.

 

The DSI encourages the public to report fraudulent activities via their website (www.dsi.go.th) under the “Report Fraud” section, to support legal actions against offenders, reported Siam Rath.

 

-- 2024-11-14

 

 

[BayArea]

can you imagine if the Nigerians actually used all that clever criminal mind for the good of Humanity???🤣

[ozz1]

Is he a prince I think he has my money lol

[sammieuk1]

Various donkey, mule, and ass accounts will no doubt come to light as police race to the finishing line just one "nagging" question remains? what's the odds on anyone getting their cash back 🤔 

[khunpin]

Early xmax for a few "officials" and dealers of brand, foreign cars ... 🎄

[mokwit]

These reports are incomplete without details of visa type.

[jippytum]

hope this dosen't affect the  cheque in the post from my new Nigerian friend from Facebook. 

[riclag]

My wife’s Now deceased Best Girlfriend 

was taken for a ride by similar circumstances!

 

She lost her money & heart!

She eventually gave up the will to live!

 

I could see the scam unfolding but she didn’t want to listen , she was lonely and desperately looking for the right man!

 

These people in that country perfected the art of scam !Experts they are.

 

[Kinok Farang]

These blokes are experts at a lot of things.

Shame that one of those isn't doing an honest days work.

[Jonathan Swift]

7 hours ago, BayArea said:

can you imagine if the Nigerians actually used all that clever criminal mind for the good of Humanity???🤣

Not profitable for them

[soalbundy]

50 million.....a lot of potential bribe money.

[norsurin]

I meet a Nigerian in Bangkok who claimed he was a gold buyer√/ dealer The next day he was thrown out from the hotel beacaus no money to pay his hotebill.This ctiminals should be deported rigth away.Its alot of them witk bs stories.After i learned that this guy have overstayed his visa for many months so he went living with another black scammer.He told me his socalled agent i pattaya had doing something wrong about his visa.

[sikishrory]

Black horse down. The most Thai name ever for an operation like this

[Mad Mustang]

Yay some vile scum off the streets. Enjoy your holiday in the big house.

[MisterTee]

A while back it was "Operation Black Eagle" to deal with crime in the streets - notably Lower Suky.

Now it is "Operation Black Horse Down" to deal with crime in the suites.

Keep up the pressure on them until they find another country to do their dirty business.

 

[Keeps]

I wonder if the operation title is down to the 'perps' colour and that most of them are (allegedly) hung like a horse?

[Scouse123]

Very few Nigerians are in Thailand for tourism!

[Grumpy one]

NO NO NO I refuse to believe a Nigerian would be involved in a scam like this    

[Mavideol]

8 hours ago, BayArea said:

can you imagine if the Nigerians actually used all that clever criminal mind for the good of Humanity???🤣

I said the same thing about the scammers and hackers

[Andrew65]

Many years ago a Nigerian diplomat stated that there were around 1,000 Nigerians in Thai prisons.

[shackleton]

It's people like this who get Nigerian. Princesses and tourists a bad name in Thailand 

Oh Wait 😱

[renaissanc]

Oh dear, Christian! Do you know how awful Bang Kwang Prison is? It's called the "Big Tiger" for a reason. It "eats" criminals alive ... and spits them out after 20-100+ years, if they are lucky.

[Andrew65]

52 minutes ago, Keeps said:

I wonder if the operation title is down to the 'perps' colour and that most of them are (allegedly) hung like a horse?

When the Boys in Brown hear about a Nigerian crim they don't tend to go out looking for caucasians with little winkies!😁

[john donson]

horse accounts?  do they give good savings ? do they need a thai id card?

 

using expensive words...

 

 google 

 

"Horse account" may refer to a Twitter account or a metaphor for the relationship between a horse and its trainer: 

Edited 12 hours ago by john donson

[john donson]

8 hours ago, BayArea said:

can you imagine if the Nigerians actually used all that clever criminal mind for the good of Humanity???🤣

 

nah... just scammers... expert, but scammers

 

but you need dumb and greedy people to fall for it

[Classic Ray]

We usually hear about the grandstanding arrests but rarely about their names, charges and their actual court appearance/sentence, seizure of assets, restitution to victims of the criminals.

 

This makes me suspect that many cases are dealt with informally by the transfer of funds to officials before subsequent release, rinse, repeat.

 

Maybe I should start visiting the courts to report on whoever actually appears. Need to improve my Thai, perhaps a local journalist could do their job first.

[DrPhibes]

9 hours ago, ozz1 said:

Is he a prince I think he has my money lol

Wait, that is the prince I sent money to help get out his out from the country.  I'd recognize his pixelated face anywhere!  My reward for my help is delayed now I guess...

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

In a significant crackdown, Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) arrested a Nigerian national believed to be a central figure in a major fraud network involving horse accounts across the country, causing damages estimated at over 50 million baht.

Are these bigger than mule accounts?

[Zack61]

11 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Various donkey, mule, and ass accounts will no doubt come to light as police race to the finishing line just one "nagging" question remains? what's the odds on anyone getting their cash back 🤔 

Zero zilch zip nil nada. 
None or less. 

[Graham8888]

Without causing offence and having worked in Nigeria foe 6 months - are there any nigerians in Thailand that are involved in 100% legitimate business? Just asking