Crime Police Operation at Pattaya Bank Linked to Chinese Call Centre Scam

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of TMN.

 

Local residents were left shocked, as over 20 uniformed and plainclothes police officers descended on a bank branch located on Central Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya, Chonburi Province.

 

The large-scale operation was led by Police Major General Teerachai Chamnarn, Commander of Region 2’s Investigation Division. Officers from the Region 2 investigation unit and Bang Lamung Police Station conducted a thorough search of the premises, questioned staff and collected evidence in connection with an ongoing investigation into a Chinese call centre scam.

 

Officers interviewed the branch manager and two bank employees responsible for opening accounts. The three were later taken to Bang Lamung Police Station for further questioning.

 

The police presence was part of an extended probe into a recently busted Chinese call centre gang operating in Bangkok. Subsequent investigations revealed that a group of Chinese nationals, all holding tourist visas, had opened over 100 bank accounts at a single branch in Pattaya. These accounts are now suspected to have been used for laundering funds connected to the scam.

 

Initial statements from the bank staff indicated they were unaware that the accounts were being used for illegal activity. However, police confirmed that three arrest warrants had been issued in connection with the case, though no further details were disclosed at this stage.

 

A police spokesperson stated that more individuals are believed to be involved and that the investigation is ongoing.

 

Authorities are currently gathering additional evidence as the case continues to unfold, and more arrests are expected.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-05-21.

 

 

 

[jacko45k]

26 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Initial statements from the bank staff indicated they were unaware that the accounts were being used for illegal activity

Sounds unlikely. They would have been aware requirements were not being met..... so many Westerners are having difficulty opening a single account in their name these days. 

[gargamon]

This is why you're not supposed to be able to open a bank account while on a tourist visa.

[JoePai]

51 minutes ago, gargamon said:

This is why you're not supposed to be able to open a bank account while on a tourist visa.

Maybe they used an "Agent"     😎

[mikebell]

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Initial statements from the bank staff indicated they were unaware that the accounts were being used for illegal activity.

Bank staff are immediately aware of EVERY foreigner who visit their establishment and do their utmost to avoid serving them.

[thesetat]

7 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Maybe they used an "Agent"     😎

Maybe so, but it would take an idiot at the bank not to assume opening 100 accounts would not be for personal or business use. 

The police should be checking the accounts of those bank staff who did the work as well as the bank manager. 

[scubascuba3]

What bank is that? if Bangkok Bank that could impact agents opening accounts

[JoePai]

2 hours ago, thesetat said:

Maybe so, but it would take an idiot at the bank not to assume opening 100 accounts would not be for personal or business use. 

The police should be checking the accounts of those bank staff who did the work as well as the bank manager. 

Not if they were paid enough