Call Centre Scam Ring Busted in Chiang Rai – Criminals Used Line BK Accounts

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

Cyber police have arrested three individuals linked to a newly emerging call centre scam that exploited the financial services platform Line BK to conduct illegal transactions. The suspects allegedly obtained access to victims’ Line accounts under the pretext of buying them, a ruse which enabled the fraudsters to create mule bank accounts and launder money across the border.

In a press conference at Ban Du Police Station, Chiang Rai, Lieutenant General Trairong Phiewphan, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), alongside senior officers including Pol. Maj. Gen. Kritchat Bumrungrattanasot (CCIB Region 4), and Pol. Col. Khomsan Meepakdee (Cyber Crime Division 4), announced the success of the coordinated raid.

Acting on court warrants, cybercrime officers raided two properties in Chiang Rai and arrested:

• Mr. Tharathapong, 49, from Khon Kaen

• Mr. Yutthapong, 46

• Ms. Saengyot, 44

All three face charges under Thailand’s Electronic Transactions Act for fraudulently using electronic cards or accounts to cause harm or financial damage to others.

The group had allegedly duped victims, particularly the elderly, into selling their Line accounts, unaware these could be linked to Line BK, a digital banking service developed by Line Corporation and Kasikorn Bank. Once access was gained, the scammers registered financial accounts via the Line app and used them to send, receive and withdraw funds, thereby masking illicit activities.

Investigators believe the operation had connections to a call centre network based in Cambodia, with local agents in Thailand responsible for withdrawing large sums from ATMs, up to 500,000 baht per day per person. The Thai-based operatives reportedly handed over the cash at river piers near the Chiang Khong border, receiving 1.5% commissionon each withdrawal.

Police noted that while some victims may have known their accounts could be linked to mobile banking services, many were unaware of the implications. The elderly were particularly vulnerable to this deception. Once linked to Line BK, these accounts enabled criminals to conduct financial transactions almost indistinguishably from regular online banking.

Importantly, those who willingly sold their accounts, even if they misunderstood the consequences, are considered suspects, not victims, under the law.

Lt. Gen. Trairong issued a public warning:

“Do not let anyone convince you to sell or give access to your Line BK account. These accounts are essentially bank accounts and if misused, you can be held criminally liable.”

He stressed that the trend of using Line-linked bank accounts as mule accounts is on the rise and warned of increased social media scams employing similar tactics.

The authorities are now working to track down others connected to the ring and have urged the public to be vigilant about their personal digital and banking information.

Those who suspect they’ve been approached by scammers or have sold their accounts under false pretences are urged to contact the cybercrime police immediately.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-08-01