Man Arrested for Running Fake Coin-Operated Washing Machine Scam

Picture courtesy of CIB.

Police have arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly running a fraudulent business that posed as a company installing coin-operated washing machines, cheating victims out of millions.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), through the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), apprehended the suspect, identified only as Mr. Chayaset, at a rented house in Moo 2, Don Kaidee Subdistrict, Krathum Baen District, Samut Sakhon. The arrest was made under a court warrant for fraud.

According to the investigation, Mr. Chayaset was the mastermind behind a scheme in which he set up a front company offering washing machine installation services. He allegedly gained the trust of victims by claiming extensive experience and promising fast installations. Once trust was established, he requested deposits for the machines, but ultimately failed to deliver the promised equipment.

One victim, a business owner in Pattaya, initially paid a deposit of 300,000 baht. Mr. Chayaset later pressured the victim to transfer the full remaining balance, an additional 900,000 baht, under the pretext of faster delivery. Despite waiting six to seven months, the machines never arrived, resulting in total losses of 1.2 million baht for that individual.

Another victim in Phitsanulok was defrauded of 300,000 baht in a similar manner.

Police had been tracking his movements for some time and discovered links to another individual named Mr. Suwat, believed to be involved in the operation and previously residing in Udon Thani. Mr. Chayaset had returned to Samut Sakhon where he was eventually arrested.

Upon confrontation, officers presented the arrest warrant and informed him of his legal rights. He confessed to being the person named in the warrant and admitted to the charges. It was confirmed this was his first arrest related to the case.

Mr. Chayaset was taken into custody and brought to Pattaya Provincial Court for prosecution. Authorities are now expanding the investigation to identify other accomplices and to trace assets obtained through fraudulent means.

The operation was carried out under the directive of Police Lieutenant General Jiraphop Phuridej, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, and supervised by senior officers including Police Major General Wittaya Sriprasertphap and Police Colonel Suriyasak Jirawat.

  Adapted by Asean Now from CIB 2025-06-23