Crime Woman Arrested After Allegedly Stealing 5.5 Million Baht in Dowry Scam

Georgealbert · 2025-07-20T22:56:14Z

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

Police in Mukdahan have arrested a 35-year-old woman accused of masterminding a dowry rental scam involving 5.5 million baht, while efforts are underway to track down her two alleged accomplices.

The suspect, identified as Ms. Porntip “Pang”, a resident of Kam Pa Lai Subdistrict in Mueang District, Mukdahan Province, was apprehended on 20 July by officers from the Mueang Mukdahan Police Station. The arrest was made under the direction of Pol. Col. Prayut Rueanthongkham, Superintendent of the station, and Pol. Lt. Col. Chatmongkol Boonklang, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation.

Ms. Porntip was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Mukdahan Provincial Court (Warrant No. 175/2568, dated 18 July 2025) on charges of “joint theft using a vehicle to facilitate the crime, the escape, or the transportation of stolen goods.”

The arrest followed a complaint filed by the daughter of a prominent dowry rental business owner in Khon Kaen Province. According to the report, the victim, a 60-year-old woman, was contacted by a group posing as legitimate clients: Ms. Porntip, a man named “Pak” and a woman known as “Muay”.

The trio allegedly devised a scheme in which Ms. Porntip claimed she needed to rent 5.5 million baht in cash to photograph herself with it as a means of building credibility. She said the photos would help her secure a major investment from a wealthy financier for a planned car dealership venture.

Trusting the story, the victim agreed and handed over the money. However, once the cash was received, the suspects disappeared and failed to return the funds as promised. All attempts to contact them proved futile, leading the family to realise they had been defrauded. A formal complaint was subsequently lodged with Mukdahan police.

Further investigation revealed that the group had allegedly committed similar offences in Chonburi Province as well.

Following her arrest, Ms. Porntip was handed over to investigators at Mueang Mukdahan Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities are now intensifying efforts to locate the two remaining suspects, “Pak” and “Muay”, who remain at large.

The case has drawn attention to the emerging trend of dowry rental scams in Thailand, where large sums of money are temporarily borrowed for the appearance of wealth during weddings or investment pitches. Police urge the public to exercise caution and verify identities thoroughly before entering such agreements.

Related article:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1367073-dowry-rental-business-owner-defrauded-of-5-million-baht-in-investment-scam/

Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-07-21