Serial Conman Arrested After Posing as Police Officer to Scam Victims Across the Country

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested in Nakhon Pathom after a string of fraudulent schemes in which he posed as a police officer to dupe victims into buying second-hand air conditioning units and used cars.

Police from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), acting under orders from Pol Maj Gen Wittaya Sriprasertphap, apprehended Mr. Surawut on the side of Phutthamonthon Sai 5 Road in Sam Phran district, Nakhon Pathom province. He was wanted under a warrant issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court on 28 November 2023 for charges including conspiracy to defraud the public and computer-related fraud.

According to investigators, Mr. Surawut had a pattern of impersonating a member of the 191 police unit. He advertised used air conditioners on social media, claiming they were surplus equipment from the 191 police headquarters. Victims, believing the goods to be genuine, transferred money but never received the items and were subsequently unable to contact him.

In a separate scam, the suspect posed as a police officer to sell used cars. After victims purchased the vehicles, he would contact them a week later claiming the cars had documentation issues and needed to be returned. He would show fake money transfer slips on his phone to convince the buyers he had refunded their money. Trusting the transaction was complete, victims returned the cars, only to later discover the transfers were fraudulent. By then, Mr. Surawut had already vanished with the vehicles.

Police say the suspect has a long history of scams involving multiple victims across various provinces. He is currently facing at least five outstanding arrest warrants related to similar offences. During questioning, Mr. Surawut reportedly confessed to the crimes.

He was handed over to Bang Kruai Police Station for further legal proceedings.

-- 2025-04-07