Cyber Police Bust  ‘Mule Account’ Ring in Ratchada

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

Cyber police have dismantled a criminal network involved in the cross-border sale of “mule accounts” in central Bangkok, arresting 13 suspects. The illegal operation reportedly caused losses of up to 200 million baht per month.

The investigation began when authorities received a tip-off about the illicit sale of bank accounts through three Facebook accounts. Meetings were arranged at the Night Ratchada Hotel on Pracharat Bamphen Road, Huai Khwang District.

Police officers from the Special Technology Crime Suppression Division (STCSD) Unit 5, led by Pol Col Ukrit Sreenitiworawong, executed the arrests. The suspects included a 20-year-old Chinese national, identified as Thawatchwong Sae-Yang, along with 12 Thai accomplices.

Suspects 1–4 were charged with “organising, advertising, or facilitating the sale, rental, or lending of bank accounts, electronic wallets, or e-money accounts for use in technology-related or other criminal offences.” Suspects 5–13 were charged with “allowing others to use their bank accounts, e-wallets, or mobile phone numbers, knowing they would be used for technology-related or other criminal offences.”

Police reports indicate that Thawatchwong and his group had established rooms at the hotel to meet sellers of “mule accounts.” Buyers paid around 4,000 baht per account, which was later used for illicit transactions. Suspects 1–3 handled the purchases, while suspect 4 collected sellers from outside locations.

During searches, police found evidence that confirmed the organised sale of accounts. All suspects admitted to their involvement, and mobile phone records showed direct communication between buyers and sellers, including private Facebook messages and QR codes for LINE chats.

The suspects were taken to the STCSD Unit 5 headquarters at Chaeng Watthana Government Complex, along with seized evidence, for legal proceedings. Authorities estimate that the misuse of the accounts resulted in monthly financial losses between 150 and 200 million baht.

The case highlights the growing threat of cyber-enabled financial crime in Thailand, where stolen or fraudulently sold bank accounts are increasingly used for online scams and cross-border criminal activities.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-08-19