Report Chinese Scammer Arrested at Thai Airport, 1.5M Baht Stolen

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Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

In a dramatic airport arrest, a Chinese national accused of defrauding Thai victims out of more than 1.5 million baht was detained at Don Mueang International Airport. The suspect, 45-year-old Wang Hao, was apprehended in the international departure hall while attempting to board a flight to Kunming, China.

 

Immigration officers utilised the Advanced Passenger Processing System (APPS) to identify and flag Wang in real time, ensuring his capture before he could leave Thai soil.

 

Police Major General Cheingron Rimpadee, from the Immigration Bureau Division 2, reported Wang's arrest to senior officials including Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak and Police Major General Pantana Nuchanart. The successful operation was coordinated by Police Colonel Weerayos Karunyathorn and his team at the Don Mueang Airport Immigration Checkpoint.

 

Wang was under a warrant issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court on 28 November 2023, facing charges of theft, unauthorised use of electronic cards, and money laundering. During his arrest, officers confiscated two mobile phones: a green Xiaomi 14 and a white Apple iPhone X.

 

The charges against Wang relate to a sophisticated scam involving the misuse of the Thai government’s Tueng Ngern financial aid application. According to investigators, Wang impersonated a Krung Thai Bank official and contacted victims through the LINE messaging app, deceiving them into believing they were eligible for a government stipend of 5,000 baht per month for two months.

 

Victims were tricked into installing a harmful application under the guise of registering for the aid, granting Wang unauthorised access to their bank accounts. Reports indicate that approximately 1.55 million baht was illicitly extracted in total.

 

"This arrest highlights the power of digital monitoring and quick action," stated an immigration official involved in Wang's apprehension. "We are dedicated to stopping cybercriminals in their tracks."

 

Wang has been transferred to the Technology Crime Suppression Division 2 for further legal proceedings. Thai authorities are continuing their investigation into the wider scam network and are advising the public to remain vigilant and sceptical of similar schemes targeting unsuspecting individuals.

 

As digital scams become increasingly sophisticated, this incident serves as a poignant reminder of the need for robust cyber-security measures and public awareness to protect personal information.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-25