Business Owner Arrested for Renting Out Credit Card Machines to Chinese Fraud Gang

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture of arrest.

 

Thai police have arrested a businesswoman for renting out electronic data capture (EDC) machines to a Chinese criminal gang that stole credit cards from a luxury spa in Thonglor and used them to withdraw nearly one million baht. She allegedly received a 15% commission from the transactions.

 

On 22 February, Pol Maj Gen Witthaya Sriprasertphap, Commissioner of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), ordered the arrest of Ms. Wiyada, 41, following an arrest warrant issued by the South Bangkok Criminal Court (No. J.210/2025) on 19 February. She faces charges of “jointly committing theft at night” and “unlawfully using another person’s electronic card.” She was apprehended outside her residence in Kantharawichai district, Maha Sarakham province.

 

The case originated in January when a victim reported to Thonglor police that their credit card had been stolen from a locker at an upscale onsen spa. The stolen card was then used to make transactions worth over 900,000 baht.

 

Upon investigation, police discovered that the criminals did not use the stolen credit card for retail purchases. Instead, they swiped it through rented EDC machines to transfer funds to a designated bank account before withdrawing the cash. Authorities gathered evidence and issued warrants for those involved.

 

The arresting officers traced Ms. Wiyada, the owner of the EDC machines, who had fled to Maha Sarakham following the incident. She was subsequently taken into custody.

 

During questioning, Ms. Wiyada admitted to renting out the EDC machines to the Chinese gang. She claimed that a woman, the girlfriend of one of the gang members, had arranged the rental. Ms. Wiyada received a 15% commission from the credit card transactions processed through her machines, amounting to approximately 130,000 baht. The remaining 85% was transferred to the gang’s accounts. However, she denied any involvement in the theft or fraudulent activities and stated that she was no longer in contact with the suspects.

 

Ms. Wiyada has been handed over to Thonglor police for further legal proceedings.

 

-- 2025-02-24