Crime Police Rescue Woman From Call Centre Extortion Gang

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of InsideThailand.

 

Metropolitan police officers have rescued a 24-year-old PR executive who was being held and extorted by a call centre gang, after she transferred over 2.9 million baht under threats to her family.

 

The victim, identified only as Ms Mo, was found in a hotel in Ban Bueng District, Chonburi, in a state of severe fear, still holding a video call with her captors. Upon seeing the police, the gang abruptly ended the call.

 

Initially, Ms Mo did not realise she had fallen victim to a scam. It was only after speaking with her family and confirming their safety that she began to regain composure. Police then escorted her and her family to the Metropolitan Police Bureau for further questioning.

 

The ordeal began on 19 August when Ms Mo received a call from an unknown number claiming to be a hospital official from Chiang Mai, stating that she was responsible for a three-year-old child allegedly abused by human traffickers and requiring urgent surgery. Despite Ms Mo insisting she had no children, the caller continued to threaten her, pressuring her to transfer funds immediately.

 

 

The gang then handed the call to someone posing as a police officer, instructing Ms Mo to add a Line account purportedly linked to the Chang Phueak police station. She was falsely accused of involvement with human traffickers and coerced into transferring funds, to verify her innocence.

 

Over several days, the gang forced Ms Mo to remain on 24-hour video calls, disable her GPS and move between locations, claiming this would prevent police interference. Under fear for her family’s safety, she complied, transferring a total of over 2.9 million baht to the criminals’ accounts.

 

Police Commander Pol Maj-Gen Chotiwat Leuangwilai warned that call centre scams are increasingly sophisticated, preying on victims’ emotions and fears. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the gang and trace two additional Thai bank accounts used in the scheme.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from InsideThailand 2025-08-24