Report Thai-Ghanaian Fraud Gang Arrested for 200 Million Baht Japan Scam

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Photo: Bangkok Post

 

In a significant crackdown, Thai authorities have arrested six members of a multinational fraud gang, consisting of five Thai nationals and one Ghanaian, for orchestrating a scam that swindled over 200 million baht from a company in Japan. The arrests, carried out by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), took place in various locations, including Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Nonthaburi.

 

The gang managed to deceive the Japanese firm into transferring 228 million baht to a bank account controlled by the group in Thailand. Although the CCIB successfully managed to freeze nearly all the assets, the gang withdrew 13 million baht before being apprehended.

 

Two other gang members, a Thai and a Nigerian national, remain at large with active warrants issued for their arrest, according to Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, the Royal Thai Police inspector-general.

 

The fraud operation involved setting up a puppet company in Thailand to exploit the Japanese firm. The gang infiltrated a South Korean business partner, using its identity to establish a company in Thailand. They hacked emails and sent fraudulent invoices to the Japanese firm under the guise of legitimate product deliveries. However, irregularities caught the attention of the Japanese firm's fraud audit team, leading to an investigation by the CCIB and the arrests.

 

Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, chief of the CCIB, emphasized the elaborateness and premeditated nature of the scheme, highlighting the gang's long-term strategy to execute the crime. The CCIB continues to investigate further, examining whether other entities were involved as front companies for the gang.

 

This case highlights ongoing challenges in global cybercrime and the importance of international cooperation in tackling sophisticated fraud schemes. While progress has been made in capturing those responsible, efforts continue to apprehend the remaining suspects and prevent future incidents.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-09