Picture courtesy of Daily News.

 

Investigators from Provincial Police Region 2 have arrested six suspects in connection with a “bank account mule” operation that funnelled cash to a telephone scam syndicate. Officers seized nearly 770,000 baht in cash during the raid at a bank inside a central Chachoengsao shopping mall.

 

The operation, led by Police Major General Theerachai Chamnarnmo, chief of the Region 2 Investigation Bureau, together with officers from Region 1 and Saraburi Provincial Police, targeted a network of Thais who withdrew cash from so-called “mule accounts” at bank counters on behalf of a phone scam ring. Investigators revealed the gang operated in a highly organised manner, with separate teams responsible for commanding operations, sourcing mule accounts and controlling the cash withdrawals.

 

Police identified that the gang used Thai nationals to withdraw cash from the mule accounts in Chachoengsao province. Upon confirming the activity, officers moved to apprehend the suspects at the bank. Six individuals were arrested: two account owners and four organisers controlling the withdrawals. Authorities also discovered an additional 790,000 baht transferred to the mule accounts, though this cash had not yet been withdrawn.

 

The arrests followed a report to Phaholyothin Police Station earlier the same day, in which a victim said they had been defrauded by a phone scam claiming to be from a mobile company. The caller allegedly convinced the victim to transfer 500,000 baht each to two mule accounts held by a Ms. Panida and a Mr. Prawit.

 

During questioning, the suspects admitted that account owners received 3,500 baht per account, while withdrawal controllers earned 2.2% of the withdrawn funds. The money was then forwarded to unidentified Thai intermediaries via the Telegram messaging app. The gang reportedly carried out at least five similar operations prior to their arrest.

 

The six suspects have been charged with fraud, computer-related offences, providing accounts for illegal use, facilitating account rentals or loans, participating in a criminal syndicate and money laundering. Police said further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend additional members of the network.

 

Authorities have warned the public that opening or facilitating mule accounts is a criminal offence, punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and a 500,000-baht fine for organisers, and up to three years and a 300,000-baht fine for account holders. Officials stressed that involvement in such schemes, even indirectly, could also result in charges of fraud, participation in a criminal gang, computer-related crimes, and money laundering.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-08-31

 

 

 

Lock them up for years.This kind of people ruin many lifes and don't care.

This is a big part of the reason that we can't pay for things that cost a few hundred thousand Baht.

Just this week I had to go down to the bank and withdraw multiple hundreds of thousands of Baht in cash to pay for someones hospital bill - in advance as it was a planned procedure by appointment.

Good job it wasn't an emergency as they wanted 50% payment on admission and the remaining balance on discharge - both more than 100k in this case.

Previously I could have used the app - not any more! Great work there Bank Of Thailand - perhaps limits to certain hospitals, etc should be exempted from these limits - people will die because of this.