Crime Chinese National Arrested in Bangkok Over SMS Credit Card Scam

[Georgealbert]

 

             Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

A Chinese national has been arrested in Bangkok for his alleged involvement in a cyber scam operation that defrauded victims by tricking them into revealing their credit card details via fraudulent SMS messages. The scheme involved the illegal use of electronic payment systems and collaboration with hackers through encrypted messaging platforms.

 

Officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD)under the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) apprehended Mr. Ma, a 35-year-old Chinese man, at a hotel on Sut Prasert Soi 2, Sutthisan Winitchai Road, Huai Khwang district. 

 

The arrest was made under an active warrant issued by the Criminal Court on 4 July 2025, for multiple cybercrime offences, including:

 

1. Fraud by impersonation

2. Unlawful use of another person’s electronic card

3. Possession of electronic cards belonging to others

4. Unauthorised access to computer data

5. Uploading false data into computer systems

 

The operation followed a tip-off from the legal department of a Thai commercial bank, which reported a series of fraudulent SMS messages sent to customers. These messages contained phishing links directing victims to fake websites that requested their credit card details and one-time passwords (OTPs). The stolen data was then used to make payments via Google Pay at department stores across Bangkok.

 

Following an investigation, Mr. Ma was identified as the suspect who had been using the stolen card data. Officers secured a warrant and raided the hotel room where he was staying. He was arrested and taken into custody, along with multiple items of incriminating evidence.

 

Items seized include:

 

• 2 EDC (Electronic Data Capture) machines

• 2 card readers

• 3 mobile phones

• 17 foreign ATM cards

• 11 blank PVC cards

• 1 laptop computer

 

Initial investigations revealed that Mr. Ma was in contact with hackers via Telegram, a secure messaging app. The hackers allegedly supplied him with credit card details from both Thai and international sources. Mr. Ma’s role involved using the stolen data to purchase goods from local retail outlets. These items were then sold for cash, which was subsequently converted into cryptocurrency (USDT) and partially transferred back to the hackers as a form of commission.

 

While Mr. Ma has denied all charges, the CIB is continuing its investigation to identify other members of the network, trace the origin of the stolen data and locate the victims. Authorities also plan to liaise with international agencies to determine whether this case is part of a larger cross-border cybercrime syndicate.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpoint 2025-07-09

 

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

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