Cyber Police Arrest Money Mule in Fraudulent “Ohkajhu” Investment Scam

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath.

Cyber police have arrested a key suspect involved in an elaborate scam that impersonated the popular organic restaurant brand “Ohkajhu,” tricking a victim into investing more than 500,000 baht. Officers were able to freeze and recover 350,000 baht, which will be returned to the victim.

The arrest was announced at 11:00 on 28 July, at the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) headquarters in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi. Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiewphan, commissioner of the TCSD, led the press conference alongside other senior officers including Police Major General Tingorn Rangmat and Police Colonel Preeda Khongchat.

According to authorities, the case began on 8 February 2025, when a female victim filed an online police report after losing money in what she believed was a legitimate investment opportunity promoted through a Facebook page named “Ohkajhu.” Drawn in by the restaurant’s wholesome brand and well-known slogan “Grow Vegetables and Love Mom,” the victim contacted the page and was soon redirected to a Line account under the alias “Customer Service AJK.”

An individual claiming to be a broker, using the Line name “Thanadech,” provided the victim with a fake stock trading platform. Lured by the illusion of regular profit updates, the woman was convinced to make six separate transfers, totalling 567,980 baht. When she later attempted to withdraw her profits, the fraudsters demanded additional “commission fees” to unlock her account. Realising she had been scammed, she alerted the police.

Following an investigation led by Police Colonel Anucha Srisamrong and his team, officers tracked down and arrested 23-year-old Suphat Chaiyut of Phatthalung Province in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani. Suphat confessed to opening a bank account and selling it to a middleman, claiming he was unaware the account would be used in criminal activity.

Police managed to freeze 350,000 baht in funds linked to the fraudulent operation. Investigators confirmed that the frozen funds matched amounts lost by the victim, and have since begun the process of returning the money.

Authorities are continuing their efforts to trace and apprehend other members of the criminal network, warning the public to exercise caution when approached with online investment offers, even from seemingly reputable brands.

  Adapted by Asean Now from ThaiRath 2025-07-30