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

 

 

220 million baht in fraudulent invoices paid ? I thought this was why we (used to ) have auditors and multiple signatures etc.???? 

So did they convince the Japanese company they had a branch in Thailand and got them to send millions to run the branch 😳🙈

Obviously very skilled professionals (as usually involved: Nigerians).

But to be honest, I think cyber security guide lines were not followed by the Japanese company.

Five Thai guys and a Ghanan dupe arrested. But it’s only the dupe that gets pictured?

48 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Obviously very skilled professionals (as usually involved: Nigerians).

But to be honest, I think cyber security guide lines were not followed by the Japanese company.

Seems strange that a Japanese company would presume a delivery has been made from Korea [without first confirming delivery] and then make payments to a Thai bank account?

13 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Five Thai guys and a Ghanan dupe arrested. But it’s only the dupe that gets pictured?

No Nigerian Prince's were available for the photo shoot

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Obviously very skilled professionals (as usually involved: Nigerians).

But to be honest, I think cyber security guide lines were not followed by the Japanese company.

 

 

1 minute ago, blazes said:

 

Er, sorry to be picky, but while most scams of this kind do seem to emanate from Nigeria, the malefactor on this occasion was from Ghana, next door but one....

Nigerian was mentioned too

Five Thai guys and a Ghanan dupe arrested. But it’s only the dupe that gets pictured?

 

Spot on, Discrimination always wins on photo shoots. 

 

 

12 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Seems strange that a Japanese company would presume a delivery has been made from Korea [without first confirming delivery] and then make payments to a Thai bank account?

Yes, absolutely.

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Seems strange that a Japanese company would presume a delivery has been made from Korea [without first confirming delivery] and then make payments to a Thai bank account?

Once the email had been hijacked, the gang played the long game studying the business operation for some time. Requesting the payment to be paid to other banks in other countries are common in international trade. This is for efficiency and lower cost of foreign exchange payments.   I had a Japanese company ,whose email was hijacked ,paying into my supposedly hong kong bank account while my company is in Singapore. Scammed almost 40,000 US$.

2 hours ago, Ctkong said:

Once the email had been hijacked, the gang played the long game studying the business operation for some time. Requesting the payment to be paid to other banks in other countries are common in international trade. This is for efficiency and lower cost of foreign exchange payments.   I had a Japanese company ,whose email was hijacked ,paying into my supposedly hong kong bank account while my company is in Singapore. Scammed almost 40,000 US$.

 

Thanks for the post. This cyber crime involving large companies is way above my pay scale. While this crime will not effect the average retiree, its good to know that even large companies with well-funded internal audit departments can get burnt. Normal rule of thumb, don't click on links from emails or provide any information. if its important you can log in to company's website and discuss / transact securely thare.

Africans to the Thais: “go get me some fried chicken maaan” Thais : “ok krub”. 

11 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Five Thai guys and a Ghanan dupe arrested. But it’s only the dupe that gets pictured?

Five guys named Mo. 

16 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

220 million baht in fraudulent invoices paid ? I thought this was why we (used to ) have auditors and multiple signatures etc.???? 

and I thought this only happened in the USA paying out to "NGO's

On 5/9/2025 at 2:23 AM, snoop1130 said:

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.

 

Six people arrested.  Five Thais and a Ghanaian.  Yet only the Ghanian showed up for the photo op.  Were the five Thais camera shy??  Or perhaps those four Thai guys in the photo are part of the gang?

This lot wouldn't work in an iron lung.the laziest people on earth but by jingo they are good at tthis type of thing.Why do they keep letting them in when they are mostly wrong-uns.