Car Fraud Syndicate Busted: Police Raid 14 Locations Across Thailand

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

Police have dismantled a nationwide criminal network involved in the sale of illegal vehicles, fake registration documents and counterfeit tax discs, following coordinated raids on 14 sites across the country.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), acting under orders from Pol Lt Gen Jiraphop Phuridej, deployed more than 50 officers in a sweeping operation codenamed “CIB Cracks Down on Fake Cars and Documents.” The raids targeted locations in Nakhon Pathom, Bangkok, Roi Et, Khon Kaen, Yasothon, Nakhon Phanom, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima and Surin.

Two key suspects were arrested: Mr. Phasawat, 48, in Nakhon Pathom and Mr. Thirawit, 30, in the Nong Chok district of Bangkok. Both were detained under arrest warrants issued by the Criminal Court on 16 July 2025 for “collaborative forgery of official documents.”

During the raids, officers seized six mobile phones, eight vehicles, six counterfeit annual tax discs, five fake license plates and 42 other items believed to be related to the operation.

The investigation began when a BMW with forged plates was intercepted on Mittraphap Road using the newly implemented License Plate Recognition System. The vehicle was traced to a Facebook page called “Hia Ood,” used as a front for the sale of illegal cars and counterfeit documents.

Undercover officers posing as buyers contacted the page and successfully purchased a fake tax disc for 2,500 baht. The package led authorities to Mr. Thirawit, who has a prior criminal record involving document forgery and drug offences. He is believed to be part of a wider organised crime syndicate.

The network’s reach extended beyond illegal car sales and forged documents. A recent investigation by Provincial Police Region 8 found a pickup truck used to smuggle explosives in the southern insurgency had also been sold through this group. Authorities say the syndicate’s operations had direct links to criminal groups responsible for bomb attacks in southern Thailand.

Preliminary financial analysis indicates the group generated annual revenue, with over 200 million baht circulating within the network each year.

In his statement to police, Mr. Thirawit admitted to manufacturing and distributing fake tax discs, earning close to one million baht annually. Mr. Phasawat confessed to selling repossessed and illegally obtained vehicles through the Facebook pages “Hia Ood” and “Sia Bang Yod Laem,” earning 2,000–5,000 baht per car sold, along with profits from counterfeit disc sales.

Both men are currently in police custody and will be prosecuted by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) under relevant criminal law. Authorities continue to investigate additional individuals believed to be involved in the network, including buyers and distributors of the illegal items.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-24