Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

Police have arrested a former national business project champion and online influencer at the centre of a criminal ring that fraudulently leased dozens of vehicles before smuggling them across the border.

 

The arrest was announced during a press conference at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters as part of the operation codenamed “Fast Fraud Furious: Hunt for the Young Mastermind”. Four suspects were detained in total, with the alleged ringleader identified as Mr. Pattharjarin aged 27.

 

Also arrested were Ms. Mananchaya (36), who arranged lease contracts; Ms. Pornphan (37), who acted under power of attorney to execute the agreements; and Ms. Nawarat (42), who handled financial transactions for vehicle rentals. All four are charged under arrest warrants issued by the Min Buri Criminal Court for “jointly committing theft through deception.”

 

Police said the group fronted a fake business registered as a poultry meat processing company, claiming to need vehicles to deliver meat to customers. In March 2025, a Bangkok-based car rental company reported suspicious behaviour after leasing six small trucks to the group at 19,000 baht per vehicle per month for a five-year term.

 

To build credibility, the suspects brought company representatives to a legitimate-looking premises in the Lam Phak Chi area before signing contracts and paying one month’s rent in advance. However, soon after the handover, the rental company discovered that the GPS systems had been removed from all vehicles, and attempts to reach the so-called poultry company were ignored.

 

Police later found that the vehicles had likely been transported to neighbouring countries. Further investigation revealed that the group had approached at least four other rental companies in Bangkok, attempting to acquire a total of 24 vehicles. Fourteen had already been delivered, but authorities managed to intercept the final 10 before handover.

 

According to Pol Col Phakkaphon Suchon, the group operated as an organised scam, exploiting the guise of legitimate businesses to repeatedly lease and resell vehicles. Authorities believe the ring had been active for over two years, acquiring at least 50 vehicles through deception.

 

The investigation revealed the structure of the criminal network:

 

• Mr. Pattharjarin: Mastermind of the operation, who posed as a company employee and negotiated with rental firms.

• Ms. Mananchaya: Company director who created the impression of legitimacy and signed lease agreements.

• Ms. Pornphan: Legal representative who signed contracts and received vehicles.

• Ms. Nawarat: Responsible for making advance payments via over-the-counter deposits to obscure financial trails.

 

At the time of arrest, all suspects denied the charges.

 

Pol Lt Col Krit added that Mr. Pattharjarin had previously enjoyed notoriety as an online influencer and business competition winner, frequently posting photos with celebrities to boost his profile. In recent years, he began recruiting others to invest in various business ventures, which may have helped him establish trust with co-conspirators.

 

Police are continuing to investigate the network, believing it was formed through connections made on social media platforms, and may have involved further victims and accomplices.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-05-09.

 

 

 

 

 “Fast Fraud Furious: Hunt for the Young Mastermind”

 

Catchy  codenamed     🤣

A few years in prison with Snakehead Soup will do him good and bring his body back to a tolerable weight🫢

From Champ to Chump